Male connector, female connector, and connection structure of male connector and female connector

ABSTRACT

A male connector includes a male body, a male communication antenna, and a first male circuit hoard. The male communication antenna is provided inside the male body and is configured to wirelessly communicate a signal. The first male circuit board is electrically connected to the male communication antenna. The invention also provide a female connector including female body, as female communication antenna, and a first female circuit board. The female communication antenna is provided inside the female body and configured to wirelessly communicate a signal. The first female circuit board is electrically connected to the female communication antenna.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims prior under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-269959 filed on Dec. 26, 2013 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-98623 filed on May 12, 2014, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The invention relates to male connectors, female connectors, and connection structures of male connectors and female connectors.

2. Background Art

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-246122 discloses a connection structure of a male connector and a female connector that can transmit signals to each other in a noncontact manner. The male connector includes a body, a transmission device, a reception device, and a light transmissive member. The transmission device and the reception device are provided inside the body, near a front face thereof. The light transmissive member is attached to the front end of the body so as to be located in front of the transmission device and the reception device.

The female connector includes a body having a connection hole, a transmission device, a reception device, a light transmissive member, and a rubber ring. The connection hole of the body of the female connector is adapted to receive the front portion of the male connector. The connection hole of the body has a back face, which is opposed to the front face of the body of the received male connector. The rubber ring is fixed to the opening edge of the connection hole. The rubber ring, interposed between the opening edge of the connection hole of the female connector and the body of the male connector fitting in the connection hole, prevents water (including moisture), dust, dirt, contaminants and/or corrosive substances from adhering to the connection area between the connected connectors. The transmission device and the reception device are provided near the back face inside the body. The light transmissive member is attached toward the back of the connection hole of the body so as to be located in front of the transmission device and the reception device.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

After long-term use of the male connector and the female connector, the deterioration of the rubber ring or other factor may cause adhesion of water, dust, dirt, contaminants and/or corrosive substances to the connection area of the male and female connectors. Adhesion of water, dust, dirt, contaminants and/or corrosive substances to the light transmissive members of the connectors can degrade communication characteristics of the connectors.

In the above circumstances, the invention provides a male connector, a female connector, and a connection structure of the male connector and the female connector that are suitable for long-term use and less likely to be degraded in communication characteristics even with the adhesion of water, dust, dirt, contaminants and/or corrosive substances.

A male connector according to an aspect of the invention includes a male body, a male communication antenna, and a first male circuit board. The male communication antenna is provided inside the male body and is configured to wirelessly communicate a signal. The first male circuit board is electrically connected to the male communication antenna.

The male connector of this aspect has following technical features. First, the male connector is suitable for long-term use because the male communication antenna is provided inside the male body. Second, the male communication antenna, provided inside the male body, is less likely to deteriorate or corrode due to water (including moisture), dust, dirt, contaminants and/or corrosive substances adhered to the male connector. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that communication characteristics of the male communication antenna are degraded due to deterioration or corrosion of the male communication antenna.

The male body may include a plurality of outer surface regions, the outer surface regions not overlapping each other. The male communication antenna may be provided inside the male body so as to be located near one of the outer surface regions.

In the male connector of this aspect, the male communication antenna located near one of the outer surface regions can provide improved communication characteristics.

The male connector may further include a male power-reception/transmission antenna and a second male circuit board. The male power-reception/transmission antenna may be provided inside the male body so as to be located near another one of the outer surface regions other than the outer surface region near the male communication antenna. The second male circuit board may be electrically connected to the male power-reception/transmission antenna. The male power-reception/transmission antenna may not be electrically connected to the second male circuit board but to the first male circuit board.

In the male connector of these aspects, the male communication antenna and the male power-reception/transmission antenna are provided near different outer surface regions of the male body. This arrangement can suppress interference with the male power-reception/transmission antenna from noise of the male communication antenna and interference with the male communication antenna from noise of the male power-reception/transmission antenna.

The male connector may include a plurality of male communication antennas and a plurality of first male circuit boards. Each of the first male circuit boards may be electrically connected to at least one of the male communication antennas. The male communication antennas may be provided inside the male body such that at least one of the male communication antennas is provided near one of the outer surface regions and that another at least one of the male communication antennas is provided near another one of the outer surface regions.

In the male connector of this aspect, a male communication antenna or antennas near a certain outer surface region is less likely to receive interference from other male communication antenna or antennas near different outer surface regions.

The male connector may include a plurality of male power-reception/transmission antennas and a plurality of second male circuit boards. Each of the second male circuit boards may be electrically connected to at least one of the male power-reception/transmission antennas. The male power-reception/transmission antennas may be provided inside the male body such that at least one of the male power-reception/transmission antennas is located near another one of the outer surface regions other than the outer surface region near the male communication antenna and that another at least one of the male power-reception/transmission antennas is located near still another one of the outer surface regions other than the outer surface region near the male communication antenna. In the case where a plurality of first male circuit boards are provided, each of the first male circuit boards, not the second circuit boards, may be electrically connected to at least one of the male power-reception/transmission antennas.

The male connector of this aspect can suppress interference with the male power-reception/transmission antennas from noise of the male communication antenna, interference with the male communication antenna from noise of the male power-reception/transmission antennas, and interference with a male power-reception/transmission antenna near a certain outer surface region from other power-reception/transmission antenna or antennas near different outer surface regions.

The male connector may further include a male power-reception/transmission antenna inside the male body, and a second male circuit hoard electrically connected to the male power-reception/transmission antenna. Alternatively, the male connector may further include a male power-reception/transmission antenna inside the male body, the male power-reception/transmission antenna being electrically connected to the first male circuit board.

The male body may be made of an insulating resin. The male communication antenna and the first male circuit board may be integrally embedded inside the male body by insert-molding.

The male connector of this aspect can prevent water (including moisture), dust, dirt, contaminants and/or corrosive substances from adhering to the male communication antenna(s), preventing deterioration or corrosion of the male communication antenna(s).

The male communication antenna, the first male circuit board, the male power-reception/transmission antenna, and the second male circuit board may be integrally embedded inside the male body by insert-molding. Alternatively, the male communication antenna, the male power-reception/transmission antenna, and the first male circuit board may be integrally embedded inside the male body by insert-molding.

In the male connector of these aspects, water (including moisture), dust, dirt, contaminants and/or corrosive substances can be prevented from adhering to the male communication antenna and/or the male power-reception/transmission antenna(s), preventing deterioration or corrosion of the male communication antenna and/or the male power-reception/transmission antenna(s).

The male communication antenna may be provided on the first male circuit board. The first male circuit board may be provided inside the male body so as to be substantially parallel to the outer surface region located near the male communication antenna on the first male circuit board. The male connector of this aspect provides improved communication characteristics of the male communication antenna.

The male communication antenna may be a conductor formed on the first male circuit board. The male connector of this aspect can be fabricated with a reduced number of components. The male power-reception/transmission antenna may be a conductor formed on the first male circuit board or on the second male circuit board. The male connector of this aspect can be fabricated with a reduced number of components.

The male body may have a plurality of outer surfaces serving as the outer surface regions. Alternatively, the male body may have an outer surface including the outer surface regions.

The female connector according to an aspect of the invention includes a female body, a female communication antenna, and a first female circuit board. The female communication antenna is provided inside the female body and configured to wirelessly communicate a signal. The first female circuit board is electrically connected to the female communication antenna.

The female connector of this aspect has following technical features. First, the female connector is suitable for long-term use because the female communication antenna is provided inside the female body. Second, the female communication antenna, provided inside the female body, is less likely to deteriorate or corrode due to water (including moisture), dust, dirt, contaminants and/or corrosive substances adhered to the female connector. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that communication characteristics of the female communication antenna are degraded due to deterioration or corrosion of the female communication antenna.

The female body may further include a plurality of wall regions of the connection hole, the wall regions not overlapping each other. The female communication antenna may be provided inside the female body so as to be located near one of the wall regions.

In the female connector of this aspect, the female communication antenna located near one of the wall regions can provide improved communication characteristics.

The female connector may further include a female power-transmission/reception antenna and a second female circuit board. The female power-transmission/reception antenna may be provided inside the female body so as to be located near another one of the wall regions other than the wall region near the female communication antenna. The second female circuit board may be electrically connected to the female power-transmission/reception antenna. The female power-transmission/reception antenna may not be electrically connected to the second female circuit board but to the first female circuit board.

In the female connector of these aspects, the female communication antenna and the female power-transmission/reception antenna are provided near different wall regions of the female body. This arrangement can suppress interference with the female power-transmission/reception antenna from noise of the female communication antenna and interference with the female communication antenna from noise of the female power-transmission/reception antenna.

The female connector may include a plurality of female communication antennas and a plurality of first female circuit boards. Each of the first female circuit boards may be electrically connected to at least one of the female communication antennas. The female communication antennas may be provided inside the female body such that at least one of the female communication antennas is provided near one of the wall regions and that another at least one of the female communication antennas is provided near another one of the wall regions.

In the female connector of this aspect, a female communication antenna or antennas near a certain wall region is less likely to receive interference from other female communication antenna or antennas near different wall regions.

The female connector may include a plurality of female power-transmission/reception antennas and a plurality of second female circuit boards. Each of the second female circuit boards may be electrically connected to at least one of the female power-transmission/reception antenna. The female power-transmission/reception antennas may be provided inside the female body such that at least one of the female power-transmission/reception antennas is located near another one of the wall regions other than the wall region near the female communication antenna and that another at least one of the female power-transmission/reception antennas is located near still another one of the wall regions other than the wall region near the female communication antenna. In the case where a plurality of first female circuit boards is provided, each of the first female circuit boards, not the second female circuit boards, may be electrically connected to at least one of the female power-transmission/reception antennas.

The female connector of this aspect, the female communication antenna or at least one female power-transmission/reception antenna can suppress interference with the female power-transmission/reception antennas from noise of the female communication antenna, interference with the female communication antenna from noise of the female power-transmission/reception antennas, and interference with a female power-transmission/reception antenna near a certain wall region from other female power-transmission/reception antenna or antennas near different wall regions.

The female connector may further include a female power-transmission/reception antenna inside the female body, and a second female circuit board electrically connected to the female power-transmission/reception antenna. Alternatively, the female connector may further include a female power-transmission/reception antenna inside the female body, the female power-transmission/reception antenna being electrically connected to the first female circuit board.

The female body may be made of an insulating resin. The female communication antenna and the first female circuit board may be integrally embedded inside the female body by insert-molding.

The female connector of this aspect can prevent water (including moisture), dust, dirt, contaminants and/or corrosive substances from adhering to the female communication antenna(s), preventing deterioration or corrosion of the female communication antenna(s).

The female communication antenna, the first female circuit board, the female power-transmission/reception antenna, and the second female circuit board may be integrally embedded inside the female body by insert-molding. Alternatively, the female communication antenna, the female power-transmission/reception antenna, and the first female circuit board may be integrally embedded inside the female body by insert-molding.

The female connector of these aspects can prevent water (including moisture), dust, dirt, contaminants and/or corrosive substances from adhering to the female communication antenna and/or the female power-transmission/reception antenna(s), preventing deterioration or corrosion of the female communication antenna and/or the female power-transmission/reception antenna(s).

The female communication antenna may be provided on the first female circuit board. The first female circuit board may be provided inside the female body so as to be substantially parallel to the wall region located near the female communication antenna on the first female circuit board.

The female communication antenna may be a conductor formed on the first female circuit board. The female connector of this aspect can be fabricated with a reduced number of components. The female power-transmission/reception antenna may be a conductor formed on the first female circuit board or on the second female circuit board. The female connector of this aspect can be fabricated with a reduced number of components.

The connection hole of the female body may have a plurality of walls serving as the wall regions. Alternatively, the connection hole of the female body may have a wall including the wall regions.

An aspect of the connection structure of a male connector and a female connector of the invention includes a female connector and a male connector. The female connector includes a female body having a connection hole, a female communication antenna provided inside the female body, the female communication antenna being configured to wirelessly communicate a signal, and a first female circuit board electrically connected to the female communication antenna. The male connector includes a male body, a male communication antenna provided inside the male body, the male communication antenna being configured to wirelessly communicate a signal, and a first male circuit board electrically connected to the male communication antenna. In the state where the male connector is received in the connection hole of the female connector so as to be fixed in position, the male communication antenna and the female communication antenna are arranged within a range that allows wireless signal communication therebetween.

The connection structure of this aspect has following technical features. First, the connection structure is suitable for long-term use. This is because the female communication antenna is provided inside the female body and the male communication antenna is provided inside the male body. Second, the female and male communication antennas are less likely to deteriorate or corrode due to water (including moisture), dust, dirt, contaminants and/or corrosive substances adhered to the female and male connectors. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that communication characteristics of the female and male communication antennas are degraded due to deterioration or corrosion of the female and male communication antennas. Third, it is possible to reduce the risk of breakdown of wireless communication between the female and male communication antennas. This is because in the connected state, the female and male communication antennas are arranged within a range that allows wireless signal communication between the female communication antenna and the male communication antenna.

The connection structure may have a following configuration. The female body may further include a plurality of wall regions of the connection hole, and the wall regions may not overlap each other. The female communication antenna may be provided inside the female body so as to be located near one of the wall regions. The male body may have a plurality of outer surface regions, which do not overlap each other. The male communication antenna may be provided inside the male body so as to be located near one of the outer surface regions, in the connected state, the one of the outer surface regions may be opposed to the one of the wall regions, and the male communication antenna and the female communication antenna may be arranged within a range that allows wireless signal communication therebetween.

The connection structure of this aspect has improved communication characteristics between the female communication antenna and the male communication antenna. This is because in the connected state, the outer surface region located near the male communication antenna is opposed to the wall region located near the female communication antenna such that the male communication antenna and the female communication antenna are arranged within a range that allows wireless signal communication therebetween.

The connection structure may have a following configuration. The female connector may further include a female power-transmission/reception antenna and a second female circuit board. The female power-transmission/reception antenna may be provided inside the female body so as to be located near another one of the wall regions other than the wall region near the female communication antenna. The second female circuit board may be electrically connected to the female power-transmission/reception antenna. The male connector may further include a male power-reception/transmission antenna and a second male circuit board. The male power-reception/transmission antenna may be provided inside the male body so as to be located near another one of the outer surface regions other than the outer surface region near the male communication antenna. The second male circuit board may be electrically connected to the male power-reception/transmission antenna. In the connected state, the outer surface region located near the male communication antenna may be opposed to the wall region located near the female communication antenna, the male communication antenna located near the outer surface region and the female communication antenna located near the wall region may be arranged within a range that allows wireless signal communication therebetween, and the male power-reception/transmission antenna and the female power-transmission/reception antenna may be arranged within a range that allows wireless transfer of electric power therebetween.

The connection structure may alternatively have a following configuration. The female power-transmission/reception antenna may be electrically connected to the first female circuit board, not to the second female circuit board. The male power-reception/transmission antenna may be electrically connected to the first male circuit board, not to the second male circuit board.

The connection structure may have a following configuration. The female connector may include a plurality of female communication antennas. The female connector may include a plurality of first female circuit boards. At least one of the female communication antennas may be electrically connected to each of the first female circuit boards. The female communication antennas may be provided inside the female body such that at least one of the female communication antennas is provided near one of the wall regions and that another at least one of the female communication antennas is provided near another one of the wall regions. The male connector may include a plurality of male communication antennas. The male connector may include a plurality of first male circuit boards. At least one of the male communication antennas may be electrically connected to each of the first male circuit boards. The male communication antennas may be provided inside the male body such that at least one of the male communication antennas is provided near one of the outer surface regions and that another at least one of the male communication antennas is provided near another one of the outer surface regions. In the connected state, the outer surface region located near the at least one of the male communication antennas may be opposed to the wall region located near the at least one of the female communication antennas, the outer surface region located near the another at least one of the male communication antennas may be opposed to the wall region located near the another at least one of the female communication antennas, the at least one of the male communication antennas and the at least one of the female communication antennas may be arranged within a range that allows wireless signal communication therebetween, and the another at least one of the male communication antennas and the another at least one of the female communication antennas may be arranged within a range that allows wireless signal communication therebetween.

The connection structure may have a following configuration. The female connector may include a plurality of female power-transmission/reception antennas. The female connector may include a plurality of second female circuit boards. At least one of the female power-transmission/reception antennas may be electrically connected to each of the second female circuit boards. The female power-transmission/reception antennas may be provided inside the female body such that at least one of the female power-transmission/reception antennas is located near another one of the wall regions other than the wall region near the female communication antenna and that another at least one of the female power-transmission/reception antennas is located near still another one of the wall regions other than the wall region near the female communication antenna. The male connector may include a plurality of male power-reception/transmission antennas. The male connector may include a plurality of second male circuit boards. At least one of the male power-reception/transmission antennas may be electrically connected to each of the second male circuit boards. The male power-reception/transmission antennas may be provided inside the male body such that at least one of the male power-reception/transmission antennas is located near another one of the outer surface regions other than the outer surface region near the male communication antenna and that another at least one of the male power-reception/transmission antennas is located near still another one of the outer surface regions other than the outer surface region near the male communication antenna. In the connected state, the outer surface region located near the male communication antenna may be opposed to the wall region located near the female communication antenna, the male communication antenna located near the outer surface region and the female communication antenna located near the wall region may be arranged within a range that allows wireless signal communication therebetween, and each male power-reception/transmission antenna and the associated female power-transmission/reception antenna may be arranged within a range that allows wireless power transfer therebetween.

The connection structure may have a following configuration. In the case where a plurality of first female circuit boards are provided, at least one of the female power-transmission/reception antennas may be connected to each of the first female circuit boards, not to the second female circuit board(s). In the case where a plurality of first male circuit boards are provided, at least one of the male power-reception/transmission antennas may be connected to each of the first male circuit boards, not to the second male circuit board(s).

The connection structure may have a following configuration. The female connector may further include a female power-transmission/reception antenna provided inside the female body and a second female circuit board electrically connected to the female power-transmission/reception antenna. The male connector may further include a male power-reception/transmission antenna provided inside the male body and a second male circuit board electrically connected to the male power-reception/transmission antenna. Alternatively, as another aspect of the connection structure, the female connector may further include a female power-transmission/reception antenna that is provided inside the female body and electrically connected to the first female circuit board. The male connector may further include a male power-reception/transmission antenna that is provided inside the male body and electrically connected to the first male circuit board.

The connection structure may have a following configuration. The female body may be made of an insulating resin. The female communication antenna and the first female circuit board may be integrally embedded inside the female body by insert-molding. The male body may be made of an insulating resin. The male communication antenna and the first male circuit board may be integrally embedded inside the male body by insert-molding.

The connection structure may have a following configuration. The female communication antenna, the first female circuit board, the female power-transmission/reception antenna, and the second female circuit board may be integrally embedded inside the female body by insert-molding. The male communication antenna, the first male circuit board, the male power-reception/transmission antenna, and the second male circuit board may be integrally embedded inside the male body by insert-molding. Alternatively, as another aspect of the connection structure, the female communication antenna, the female power-transmission/reception antenna, and the first female circuit board may be integrally embedded inside the female body by insert-molding. The male communication antenna, the male power-reception/transmission antenna, and the first male circuit board may be integrally embedded inside the male body by insert-molding.

The connection structure may have a following configuration. The female communication antenna may be provided on the first female circuit board. The first female circuit board may be provided inside the female body so as to be substantially parallel to the wall region near the female communication antenna on the first female circuit board. The male communication antenna may be provided on the first male circuit board. The first male circuit board may be provided inside the male body so as to be substantially parallel to the outer surface region near the male communication antenna on the first male circuit board.

The connection structure may have a following configuration. The female communication antenna may be a conductor. The male communication antenna may be a conductor.

The connection structure may have a following configuration. The female power-transmission/reception antenna may be a conductor. The male power-reception/transmission antenna may be a conductor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view of a male connector according to Embodiment 1 of the invention, with the internal structure shown through.

FIG. 1B is a sectional view of the male connector taken along 1B-1B in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a view for the purpose of describing a first male circuit board and male communication antennas of the male connector.

FIG. 2B is a view for the purpose of describing a second male circuit board and a male power-reception antenna of the male connector.

FIG. 2C is a view for the purpose of describing a third male circuit board of the male connector.

FIG. 3A is a schematic perspective view of a female connector according to Embodiment 1 of the invention, with the internal structure shown through.

FIG. 3B is a sectional view of the female connector taken along 2B-2B in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 4A is a view for the purpose of describing a first female circuit board and female communication antennas of the female connector.

FIG. 4B is a view for the purpose of describing a second female circuit board and a female power-transmission antenna of the female connector.

FIG. 4C is a view for the purpose of describing a third female circuit board of the female connector.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a connection structure of the male connector and the female connector according to Embodiment 1 of the invention.

FIG. 6A is a schematic sectional view of a male connector according to Embodiment 2 of the invention.

FIG. 6B is a schematic sectional view of a female connector according to Embodiment 2 of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a connection structure of the male connector and the female connector according to Embodiment 2 of the invention.

FIG. 8A is a schematic sectional view of a male connector according to Embodiment 3 of the invention.

FIG. 8B is a schematic sectional view of a female connector according to Embodiment 3 of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a connection structure of the male connector and the female connector according to Embodiment 3 of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments 1 to 3 of the invention will be described below.

Embodiment 1

A male connector 100 a according to Embodiment 1 of the invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 1A to FIG. 2C. The male connector 100 a includes a male body 110 a, a male communication antenna 121 a, another male communication antenna 122 a, a communication circuit 131 a, another communication circuit 132 a, two male power-reception antennas 140 a, two power-reception circuits 150 a, a control unit 160 a, a first male circuit board 171 a, two second male circuit boards 172 a, a third male circuit board 173 a, and a cable (not shown). These components of the male connector 100 a will be described below in detail. The Y-Y′ direction shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B corresponds to the lengthwise direction of the male connector 100 a and also the insertion/extraction direction of the male connector 100 a. The Z-Z′ direction shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B corresponds to the height direction of the male connector 100 a. The X-X′ direction shown in FIG. 1A corresponds to the widthwise direction of the male connector 100 a.

As shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the male body 110 a is insulating resin formed in the shape of polyhedron (hexahedron (rectangular parallelepiped) in the case of Embodiment 1) of an insulating resin. The male body 110 a is non-translucent (opaque). The male body 110 a has a plurality of outer surfaces 111 a, namely a front (Y direction-side) surface 111 a, an upper (Z direction-side) surface 111 a, a lower (E direction-side) surface 111 a, an X direction-side surface 111 a, and an X′ direction-side surface 111 a. The outer surfaces 111 a correspond to non-overlapping outer surface regions of the male body as defined in the claims.

The first male circuit board 171 a as shown in FIG. 1A to FIG. 2A is a rigid printed circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board, or a circuit board of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). On the first male circuit board 171 a mounted are the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a and the communication circuits 131 a and 132 a. The first male circuit board 171 a is integrally embedded inside the male body 110 a such that the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a are located near (e.g. at a distance in the range of a few millimeters to several tens of millimeters from) the front surface 111 a of the male body 110 a. In other words, the first male circuit board 171 a is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the male body 110 a at a point farther from the front surface 111 a than the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a are, and conversely the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a are integrally embedded inside (covered with) the male body 110 a at points closer to the front surface 111 a than the first male circuit board 171 a is. The first male circuit board 171 a is oriented substantially in parallel to the front surface 111 a.

The male communication antenna 121 a is a transmission antenna for wireless signal communication. The male communication antenna 122 a is a reception antenna for wireless signal communication. The male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a may be communication antennas conforming to Ultra Wide Band (UWB), a wireless local area network (WLAN), Bluetooth (registered trademark) or other communication mode. As shown in FIG. 1B to FIG. 2A, the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a are conductors formed on and electrically connected to the first male circuit board 171 a. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 113 illustrates the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a with exaggerated thicknesses. The male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a are not shown in FIG. 1A.

As shown in FIG. 1B to FIG. 2A, the communication circuit 131 a is an integrated circuit (IC) for directing the male communication antenna 121 a connected thereto to transmit signals. The communication circuit 132 a is a communication IC for directing the male communication antenna 122 a connected thereto to receive signals. The communication circuits 131 a and 132 a, together with the first male circuit board 171 a, are integrally embedded inside (covered with) the male body 110 a. The communication circuit 131 a generates transmission signals on the basis of data received from the control unit 160 a, and wirelessly transmits the generated signals as radio signals conforming to a predetermined communication mode to the male communication antenna 121 a. When the male communication antenna 122 a receives radio signals conforming to the predetermined communication mode, the communication circuit 132 a demodulates the received radio signals to reproduce the data and transmits the data to the control unit 160 a. Such radio signals conform to a predetermined communication mode, such as UWB, WLAN, and Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication circuits 131 a and 132 a are not shown in FIG. 1A.

The second male circuit boards 172 a as shown in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B and FIG. 2B are rigid printed circuit boards, flexible printed circuit boards, or PET circuit hoards. On one and the other of the second male circuit boards 172 a provided are one and the other, respectively, of the male power-reception antennas 140 a. The one of the second male circuit boards 172 a is integrally embedded inside the male body 110 a such that the one of the male power-reception antennas 140 a is located near the upper surface 111 a of the male body 110 a. In other words, the one of the second male circuit board 172 a is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the male body 110 a at a point farther from the upper surface 111 a than the one of the male power-reception antennas 140 a is, and conversely the one of the male power-reception antennas 140 a is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the male body 110 a at a point closer to the upper surface 111 a than the one of the second male circuit boards 172 a is. The one of the second male circuit boards 172 a may be substantially parallel, inclined, or orthogonal relative to the upper surface 111 a. The other second male circuit board 172 a is integrally embedded inside the male body 110 a such that the other male power-reception antenna 140 a is located near the lower surface 111 a of the male body 110 a. In other words, the other second male circuit board 172 a is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the male body 110 a at a point farther from the lower surface 111 a than the other male power-reception antenna 140 a is, and conversely the other male power-reception antenna 140 a is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the male body 110 a at a point closer to the lower surface 111 a than the other second male circuit board 172 a is. The other second male circuit board 172 a may be substantially parallel, inclined, or orthogonal relative to the lower surface 111 a.

The male power-reception antennas 140 a are secondary antennas for wirelessly receiving electric power via electromagnetic induction, electromagnetic resonance, electric field coupling, or electric wave form. As shown in FIG. 1A to FIG. 1B and FIG. 2B, the male power-reception antennas 140 a are conductors respectively formed on and electrically connected to the second male circuit boards 172 a (i.e. conductive lines on the second male circuit boards 172 a). For convenience of explanation, FIG. 1B illustrates the male power-reception antennas 140 a with exaggerated thicknesses. The male power-reception antennas 140 a are not shown in FIG. 1A.

As shown in FIG. 1A to FIG. 1B and FIG. 2C, the third male circuit board 173 a is a rigid printed circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board, or a PET circuit board. The third male circuit board 173 a is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the male body 110 a so as to be located behind (on the Y direction-side of) the first male circuit board 171 a. The third male circuit board 173 a is connected to the first male circuit board 171 a via first connection means (not shown), such as a pin, lead wires, or a flexible printed circuit (FPC). The third male circuit board 173 a is connected to the second male circuit boards 172 a via second connection means (not shown), such as pins, lead wires, or FPCs.

The power-reception circuits 150 a are power-reception ICs for converting energy (e.g. electromagnetic waves) received at the male power-reception antennas 140 a into electric power. The power-reception circuits 150 a are mounted on the third male circuit board 173 a and integrally embedded, together with the third male circuit board 173 a, inside (covered with) the male body 110 a. One of the power-reception circuit 150 a is connected via the associated second connection means to one of the male power-reception antennas 140 a mounted on one of the second male circuit board 172 a. The other power-reception circuit 150 a is connected via the associated second connection means to the other male power-reception antenna 140 a mounted on the other second male circuit board 172 a. The power-reception circuits 150 a are not shown in FIG. 1A.

One of the power receivers (i.e. the power-reception circuit 150 a plus the one of the male power-reception antennas 140 a) may receive power with the same load as or a different load from the other power receiver (i.e. the power-reception circuit 150 a plus the other male power-reception antenna 140 a).

The control unit 160 a is a microcomputer for controlling the communication circuits 131 a and 132 a and the power-reception circuits 150 a. As shown in FIG. 2C, the control unit 160 a is mounted on the third male circuit board 173 a and connected to the power-reception circuits 150 a. The control unit 160 a is also connected to the communication circuits 131 a and 132 a via the first connection means. The control unit 160 a, together with the third male circuit board 173 a, is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the male body 110 a. The control unit 160 is not shown in FIG. 1A.

The cable includes communication lines and power lines. From one lengthwise end portion of the cable protrude the communication lines and power lines. The protruded communication lines are connected to the third male circuit board 173 a and thereby connected to the control unit 160 a. The protruded power lines are connected to the third male circuit board 173 a and thereby connected to the respective power-reception circuits 150 a. The one end portion of the cable (including the protruded communication lines and power lines) is integrally embedded inside the male body 110 a. In other words, the portion other than the one end portion of the cable is led out of the male body 110 a in the Y′ direction.

The male connector 100 a as described above may be manufactured in the steps as detailed below. First, prepared are the first male circuit board 171 a, the pair of second male circuit hoards 172 a, and the third male circuit board 173 a. On the first male circuit board 171 a, the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a are formed and the communication circuits 131 a and 132 a are mounted. The communication circuit 131 a is thus connected to the male communication antenna 121 a, while the communication circuit 132 a is connected to the male communication antenna 122 a. The male power-reception antennas 140 a are formed on the respective second male circuit boards 172 a. The power-reception circuits 150 a and the control unit 160 a are mounted on the third male circuit board 173 a. The control unit 160 a is thus connected to the power-reception circuits 150 a.

The first and second connection means are also prepared. The first connection means is used to connect the third male circuit board 173 a to the first male circuit board 171.a. The control unit 160 a on the third male circuit board 173 a is thus connected to the communication circuits 131 a and 132 a on the first male circuit board 171 a. The second connection means is used to connect the third male circuit board 173 a to the pair of second male circuit boards 172 a. The pair of power-reception circuits 150 a on the third male circuit board 173 a is connected to the respective male power-reception antennas 140 a on the second male circuit boards 172 a. A cable is also prepared. The communication lines and the power lines of the cable are connected to the third male circuit board 173 a.

Then, the first male circuit board 171 a, the pair of second male circuit boards 172 a, the third male circuit board 173 a, the first and second connection means, and the one end portion of the cable are placed in a cavity of a die (not shown) in the following arrangement. The first male circuit board 171 a is fixed such that the first male circuit board 171 a is substantially parallel to the front wall of the cavity of the die and the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a are located near this wall; the third male circuit board 173 a is fixed so as to be located behind the first male circuit board 171 a; one of the second male circuit board 172 a is fixed such that one of the male power-reception antenna 140 a is located near the upper wall of the cavity of the die; and the other second male circuit board 172 a is fixed such that the other male power-reception antenna 140 a is located near the lower wall of the cavity of the die.

After that, insulating resin is injected and filled into the cavity of the die. The insulating resin then hardens to mold as the male body 110 a with the inserted components integrally embedded therein by insert-molding in the following arrangement. The first male circuit board 171 a, the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a, and the communication circuits 131 a and 132 a are embedded such that the first male circuit board 171 a is substantially parallel to the front surface 111 a of the male body 110 a, and that the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a are disposed near the front surface 111 a of the male body 110 a; the third mate circuit board 173 a, the power-reception circuits 150 a, and the control unit 160 a are embedded such that the third male circuit board 173 a is disposed behind the first male circuit board 171 a; one of the second male circuit board 172 a and one of the male power-reception antenna 140 a are embedded such that one of the male power-reception antennas 140 a is disposed near the upper surface 111 a of the male body 110 a; and the other second male circuit board 172 a and the other male power-reception antenna 140 a are embedded such that the other male power-reception antenna 140 a is disposed near the lower surface 111 a of the male body 110 a. This is how the male connector 100 a is manufactured.

A female connector 100 b according to Embodiment 1 of the invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 3A to FIG. 4C. The female connector 100 b is connectable to the male connector 100 a. The female connector 100 b includes a female body 110 b, a female communication antenna 121 b, a female communication antenna 122 b, a communication circuit 131 b, another communication circuit 132 b, two female power-transmission antennas 140 b, two power-transmission circuits 150 b, a control unit 160 b, a first female circuit board 171 b, two second female circuit boards 172 b, a third female circuit board 173 b, a plurality of first external connection means (not shown), and a plurality of second external connection means (not shown). These components of the female connector 100 b will be described below in detail. The Y-Y′ direction shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B corresponds to the lengthwise direction of the female connector 100 b and also the direction in which the male connector 100 a is inserted into and removed from the female connector 100 b. The Z-Z′ direction shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B corresponds to the height direction of the female connector 100 b. The X-X′ direction shown in FIG. 3A corresponds to the widthwise direction of the female connector 100 b.

The female body 110 b as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B is made of an insulating resin. The female body 110 b is non-translucent (opaque). The female body 110 b has a connection hole 11|b, which is a bottomed hole of polyhedron shape (hexahedron (rectangular parallelepiped)-shaped in the case of Embodiment 1). The connection hole 111 b conforms to the outer shape of the male connector 100 a and is open in the direction. The connection hole 111 b is adapted to removably receive the male connector 100 a in the Y-Y′ direction. The male connector 100 a can fit into the connection hole 111 b so as to be and fixedly position inside in the connection hole 111 b. The female body 110 b includes a plurality of walls 112 b of the connection hole 111 b, namely a back (Y direction-side) wall 112 b, an upper (Z direction-side) wall 112 b, a lower (Z′ direction-side) wall 112 b, an X direction-side wall 112 b, and an X′ direction-side wall 112 b. The walls 112 b corresponds to non-overlapping wall regions of the connection hole of the female body as defined in the claims.

In the state where male connector 100 a fixedly fits in position in the connection hole 111 b of the female connector 100 b (this state will be hereinafter referred to as a connected state), the back wall 112 b may be opposed substantially in parallel to the front surface 111 a of the male connector 100 a, the upper wall 112 b may be opposed substantially in parallel to the upper surface 111 a of the male connector 100 a, the lower wall 112 b may be opposed substantially in parallel to the lower surface 111 a of the male connector 100 a, the X direction-side wall 112 b may be opposed substantially in parallel to the X direction-side surface 111 a of the male connector 100 a, and the X′ direction-side wall 112 b may be opposed substantially in parallel to the X direction-side surface 111 a of the male connector 100 a.

The first female circuit board 171 b as shown in FIG. 3A to FIG. 4A is a rigid printed circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board, or a PET circuit board. On the first female circuit board 171 b mounted are the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b and the communication circuits 131 b and 132 b. The first female circuit board 171 b is integrally embedded inside the female body 110 b such that the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b are located near (e.g. at a distance in the range of a few millimeters to several tens of millimeters from) the back wall 112 b of the connection hole 111 b in the female body 110 b. In other words, the first female circuit board 171 b is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 110 b at a point farther from the back wall 112 b than the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b are, and conversely the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b are integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 110 b at points closer to the back wall 112 b than the first female circuit board 171 b is. The first female circuit board 171 b is oriented substantially in parallel to the back wall 112 b.

The female communication antenna 121 b is a reception antenna for wireless signal communication. The female communication antenna 122 b is a transmission antenna for wireless signal communication. The female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b may be communication antennas conforming to a communication mode such as UWB, a WLAN, or Bluetooth (registered trademark). As shown in FIG. 3B to FIG. 4A, the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b are conductors formed on and electrically connected to the first female circuit board 171 b. The female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b, together with the first female circuit board 171 b, are integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 110 b. In the connected state, these antennas are disposed such that the female communication antenna 121 b can wirelessly communicate with the male communication antenna 121 a of the male connector 100 a, and that the female communication antenna 122 b can wirelessly communicate with the male communication antenna 122 a of the male connector 100 a. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 3B illustrates the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b with exaggerated thicknesses. The female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b are not shown in FIG. 3A.

As shown in FIG. 3B to FIG. 4A, the communication circuit 131 b is an IC for directing the female communication antenna 121 b connected thereto to receive signals. The communication circuit 132 b is a communication IC for directing the female communication antenna 122 b connected thereto to transmit signals. The communication circuits 131 b and 132 b, together with the first female circuit board 171 b, are integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 110 b. When the female communication antenna 121 b receives radio signals conforming to the predetermined communication mode, the communication circuit 131 b demodulates the received radio signals to reproduce the data and transmits the data to the control unit 160 b. The communication circuit 132 b generates transmission signals on the basis of the data received from the control unit 160 b and wirelessly transmits the transmission signals, as radio signals conforming to the predetermined communication mode to the female communication antenna 122 b. Such radio signals conform to a predetermined communication mode, such as UWB, WLAN, and Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication circuits 131 b and 132 b are not shown in FIG. 3A.

The second female circuit boards 172 b as shown in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3B and FIG. 4B are rigid printed circuit boards, flexible printed circuit boards, or PET circuit boards. One and the other female power-transmission antennas 140 b are provided on one and the other, respectively, of the second female circuit boards 172 b. The one of the second female circuit boards 172 b is integrally embedded inside the female body 110 b such that the one of the female power-transmission antennas 140 b is located near the upper wall 112 b of the female body 110 b. In other words, the one of the second female circuit boards 172 b is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 110 b at a point farther from the upper wall 112 b than the one of the female power-transmission antennas 140 b is, and conversely the one of the female power-transmission antennas 140 b is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 110 b at a point closer to the upper wall 112 b than the one of the second female circuit boards 172 b is. The one of the second female circuit boards 172 b may be substantially parallel, inclined, or orthogonal relative to the upper wall 112 b. The other second female circuit board 172 b is integrally embedded inside the female body 110 b such that the other female power-transmission antenna 140 b is located near the lower wall 112 b of the female body 110 b. In other words, the other second female circuit board 172 b is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 110 b at a point farther from the lower wall 112 b than the other female power-transmission antenna 140 b is, and conversely the other female power-transmission antenna 140 b is integrally embedded inside the female body 110 b at a point closer to the lower wall 112 b than the other second female circuit board 172 b is. The other second female circuit board 172 b may be substantially parallel, inclined, or orthogonal relative to the lower wall 112 b.

The female power-transmission antennas 140 b are primary antennas for wirelessly transmitting electric power via electromagnetic induction, electromagnetic resonance, electric field coupling, or electric wave form. As shown in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3B and FIG. 4B, the female power-transmission antennas 140 b are conductors respectively formed on and electrically connected to the second male circuit boards 172 a (i.e. conductive lines on the second male circuit boards 172 a). In the connected state, these antennas are disposed such that one of the female power-transmission antennas 140 b can wirelessly transmit power to one of the male power-reception antennas 140 a of the male connector 100 a, and that the other female power-transmission antenna 140 b can wirelessly transmit power to the other male power-reception antenna 140 a of the male connector 100 a. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 3B illustrates the female power-transmission antennas 140 b with exaggerated thicknesses. The female power-transmission antennas 140 b are not shown in FIG. 3A.

As shown in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3B and FIG. 4C, the third female circuit hoard 173 b is a rigid printed circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board, or a PET circuit board. The third female circuit board 173 b is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 110 b below (on the Z direction-side of) the other second female circuit board 172 b. The third female circuit board 173 b is connected to the first female circuit board 171 b via first connection means (not shown), such as pins, lead wires, or an FPC. The third female circuit board 173 b is connected to the pair of second female circuit boards 172 b via second connection means (not shown) such as pins, lead wires, or FPCs.

The power-transmission circuits 150 b are power-transmission ICs for converting electric power, which is supplied from an external power source via the second external connection means, into electric power (e.g. high-frequency power) that is suitable for transmission via electromagnetic induction, electromagnetic resonance, electric field coupling, or electric wave form. The power-transmission circuits 150 b feed the converted power into the female power-transmission antennas 140 b. The power-transmission circuits 150 b are mounted on the third female circuit board 173 b and, together with the third female circuit board 173 b, integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 110 b. One of the power-transmission circuits 150 b is connected to one of the female power-transmission antennas 140 b on one of the second female circuit board 172 b via the second connection means, and the other power-transmission circuit 150 b on the third female circuit board 173 b is connected to the other female power-transmission antenna 140 b on the other second female circuit board 172 b via the second connection means. The power-transmission circuits 150 b are not shown in FIG. 3A.

The control unit 160 b is a microcomputer for controlling the communication circuits 131 b and 132 b and the power-transmission circuits 150 b. As shown in FIG. 4C, the control unit 160 b is mounted on the third female circuit board 173 b. The control unit 160 b is connected to the power-transmission circuits 150 b. The control unit 160 b is also connected to the communication circuits 131 b and 132 b via the first connection means. The control unit 160, together with the third female circuit board 173 b, is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 110 b. The control unit 160 is not shown in FIG. 3A.

The plurality of first external connection means are used for signal communication and may be terminals, pins, or conductive lines of a flexible circuit board. Each first external connection means includes a front portion and a rear portion. The first external connection means excluding their rear portions (and including connection portions) are integrally embedded inside the female body 110 b. In other words, the rear portions of the first external connection means protrude from the female body 110 b. The front portions of the first external connection means are thus connected to the third female circuit board 173 b. The first external connection means are thus connected to the control unit 160 a via the third female circuit board 173 b. The rear portions of the first external connection means are used for external connection.

The plurality of second external connection means are used for power transfer and may be terminals, pins, or conductive lines of a flexible circuit boards. Each second external connection means includes a front portion and a rear portion. The second external connection means excluding their rear portions (and including connection portions) are integrally embedded inside the female body 110 b. In other words, the rear portions of the second external connection means protrude from the female body 110 b. The front portions of the second external connection means are connected to the third female circuit board 173 b. The second external connection means are thus connected to the respective power-transmission circuits 150 b via the third female circuit board 173 b. The rear portions of the second external connection means are used for external connection.

The female connector 100 b as described above may be manufactured in the steps as detailed below. First, prepared are the first female circuit board 171 b, the pair of second female circuit boards 172 b, and the third female circuit board 173 b. On the first female circuit board 171 b, the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b are formed and the communication circuits 131 b and 132 b are mounted. The communication circuit 131 b is thus connected to the female communication antenna 121 b, while the communication circuit 132 b is connected to the female communication antenna 122 b. On the respective second female circuit boards 172 b, the female power-transmission antennas 140 b are formed. On the third female circuit board 173 b, the power-transmission circuits 150 b and the control unit 160 b are mounted. The control unit 160 b is thus connected to the power-transmission circuits 150 b.

The first and second connection means are also prepared. The first connection means is used to connect the third male circuit board 173 b to the first female circuit board 171 b. The control unit 160 b on the third female circuit board 173 b is thus connected to the communication circuits 131 b and 132 b on the first female circuit board 171 b. The second connection means is used to connect the third female circuit board 173 b to the pair of second female circuit boards 172 b. The pair of power-transmission circuits 150 b on the third female circuit board 173 b is thus connected to the respective female power-transmission antennas 140 b on the second female circuit boards 172 b. The first and second external connection means are also prepared. The front portions of the first and second external connection means are connected to the third female circuit board 173 b.

Then, the first female circuit board 171 b, the second female circuit boards 172 b, the third female circuit board 173 b, the first and second connection means, and the first and second external connection means other than their rear portions are placed in a cavity of a die (not shown) in the following arrangement. The first female circuit board 171 b is fixed such that the first female circuit board 171 b is substantially parallel to the front face of a generally rectangular parallelepiped projection in the cavity of the die, and that the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b are disposed near this front face; one of the second female circuit boards 172 b is fixed such that one of the female power-transmission antennas 140 b is located near the upper face of the projection in the die; the other second female circuit board 172 b is fixed such that the other female power-transmission antenna 140 b is located near the lower face of the projection of the die; and the third female circuit board 173 b is fixed so as to be located below the other second female circuit board 172 b.

Then, insulating resin is injected and filled into the cavity of the die. The insulating resin then hardens to mold as the female body 110 b. The projection of the die serves to form the connection hole 111 b of the female body 110 b. The inserted components are embedded by insert-molding in the female body 110 b in the following arrangement. The first female circuit board 171 b, the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b, and the communication circuits 131 b and 132 b are embedded such that the first female circuit board 171 b is substantially parallel to the back wall 112 b of the connection hole 111 b of the female body 110 b, and that the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b are disposed near the back wall 112 b of the female body 110 b; one of the second female circuit boards 172 b and one of the female power-transmission antennas 140 b are embedded such that the one of the female power-transmission antennas 140 b is disposed near the upper wall 112 b of the connection hole 111 b of the female body 110 b; the other second female circuit board 172 b and the other female power-transmission antenna 140 b are embedded such that the other female power-transmission antenna 140 b is disposed near the lower wall 112 b of the connection hole 111 b of the female body 110 b; the third female circuit board 173 b, the power-transmission circuits 150 b, and the control unit 160 b are embedded such that the third female circuit board 173 b is disposed below the other second female circuit board 172 b. This is how the female connector 100 b is manufactured.

A connection structure 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the invention includes the male connector 100 a and the female connector 100 b as described above. As shown in FIG. 5, when the male connector 100 a is connected to the female connector 100 b, the male connector 100 a fits into the connection hole 111 b of the female connector 100 b so as to be fixed in position in the connection hole 111 b of the female connector 100 b. In this state, as described above, the outer surfaces 111 a of the male connector 100 a are opposed to the respective walls 112 b of the connection hole 111 b of the female connector 100 b. Also, the male communication antenna 121 a located near the front surface 111 a and the female communication antenna 121 b located near the back wall 112 b are disposed such that these antennas can wirelessly communicate with each other. The male communication antenna 122 a located near the front surface 111 a and the female communication antenna 122 b located near the back wall 112 b are disposed such that these antennas can wirelessly communicate with each other. One of the male power-reception antennas 140 a located near the upper surface 111 a and one of the female power-transmission antennas 140 b located near the upper wall 112 b are disposed such that these antennas can wirelessly transfer power therebetween. The other male power-reception antenna 140 a located near the lower surface 111 a and the other female power-transmission antenna 140 b located near the lower wall 112 b are disposed such that these antennas can wirelessly transfer power therebetween. This is the connected state of the connection structure 100 in which the male connector 100 a is connected to the female connector 100 b.

The connection structure 100 described has at least the following technical features. First, the male connector 100 a and the female connector 100 b are suitable for long-term use for the following reasons. As to the male connector 100 a, the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a, the communication circuits 131 a and 132 a, the male power-reception antennas 140 a, the power-reception circuits 150 a, the control unit 160 a, the first male circuit board 171 a, the second male circuit boards 172 a, and the third male circuit board 173 a are embedded inside the male body 110 a by insert-molding. As to the female connector 100 b, the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b, the communication circuits 131 b and 132 b, the female power-transmission antennas 140 b, the power-transmission circuits 150 b, the control unit 160 b, the first female circuit board 171 b, the second female circuit boards 172 b, and the third female circuit board 173 b are embedded inside the female body 110 b by insert-molding.

Second, the male connector 100 a and the female connector 100 b can properly operate even when subjected to water (including moisture), dust, dirt, contaminants and/or corrosive substances. More particularly, communication characteristics of the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a and the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b are unlikely to deteriorate, and power transmission characteristics of the male power-reception antennas 140 a and the female power-transmission antennas 140 b are unlikely to deteriorate. This is because the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a and the male power-reception antennas 140 a are embedded inside the male body 110 a by insert-molding and thus unexposed to the outside of the male body 110 a, and also because the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b and the female power-transmission antennas 140 b are embedded inside the female body 110 b by insert-molding and thus unexposed to the outside of the female body 110 b. For this reason, the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a, the male power-reception antennas 140 a, the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b, and the female power-transmission antennas 140 b will not deteriorate or corrode.

Third, the connection structure 100 provides improved communication characteristics and power transmission characteristics. More particularly, improvements are made in communication characteristics between the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a of the male connector 100 a and the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b of the female connector 100 b, in power transmission characteristics between one of the male power-reception antennas 140 a of the male connector 100 a and one of the female power-transmission antennas 140 b of the female connector 100 b, and in power transmission characteristics between the other male power-reception antenna 140 a of the male connector 100 a and the other female power-transmission antenna 140 b of the female connector 100 b. The reasons are as follows. The male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a, one of the male power-reception antennas 140 a, and the other male power-reception antenna 140 a are integrally embedded inside the male body 110 a so as to be located near different outer surfaces 111 a of the male body 110 a. The female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b, one of the female power-transmission antennas 140 b, and the other female power-transmission antenna 140 b are integrally embedded inside the female body 110 b so as to be located near different walls 112 b of the connection hole 111 b of the female body 110 b. These arrangements can reduce the possibility of: 1) noise from the male communication antenna 121 a and/or the male communication antenna 122 a interfering with the female communication antenna 121 b, the female communication antenna 122 b, the male power-reception antennas 140 a, and/or the female power-transmission antennas 140 b; 2) noise from the female communication antenna 121 b and/or the female communication antenna 122 b interfering with the male communication antenna 121 a, the male communication antenna 122 a, the male power-reception antennas 140 a, and/or the female power-transmission antennas 140 b; 3) noise from the male power-reception antennas 140 a interfering with the male communication antenna 121 a, the male communication antenna 122 a, the female communication antenna 121 b, the female communication antenna 122 b, and/or the female power-transmission antennas 140 b; and 4) noise from the female power-transmission antennas 140 b interfering with the male communication antenna 121 a, the male communication antenna 122 a, the female communication antenna 121 b, the female communication antenna 122 b, and/or the male power-reception antennas 140 a. Generally speaking, in the case the antennas are disposed in a housing space of a body, the body needs to be formed with larger thicknesses (larger distance between the inner walls of the housing space and the outer surfaces of the body). On the other hand, the connection structure 100 can reduce the distance between each antenna and the nearest one of the outer surfaces 111 a in the male connector 100 a. This is because the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a, one of the male power-reception antennas 140 a, and the other male power-reception antenna 140 a are integrally embedded inside the male body 110 a so as to be located near different outer surfaces 111 a of the male body 110 a. The connection structure 100 can also reduce the distance between each antenna and the nearest one of the walls 112 b in the female connector 100 b. This is because the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b, one of the female power-transmission antenna 140 b, and the other female power-transmission antenna 140 b are integrally embedded inside the female body 110 b so as to be located near different walls 112 b of the connection hole 111 b of the female body 110 b. Therefore, in the connected state, each antenna of the male connector 100 a is located at a smaller distance (e.g. about 4 mm) from the associated antenna of the female connector 100 b. This arrangement can improve the signal integrity between the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a and the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b and also improve the power feeding efficiency between the male power-reception antennas 140 a and the female power-transmission antennas 140 b. The improvement in power feeding efficiency also contributes to reduction of heat generated in the male power-reception antennas 140 a, the power-reception circuits 150 a, the female power-transmission antennas 140 b, and the power-transmission circuits 150 b.

Fourth, it is possible to reduce the risk of breakdown of wireless communication between the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a and the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b. This is because, in the connected state, these antennas are arranged within a range that allows wireless communication between the female communication antenna 121 b and the male communication antenna 121 a, and between the female communication antenna 122 b and the male communication antenna 122 a. Especially in the case where the communicable distance between the male communication antenna 121 a and the female communication antenna 121 b and the distance between the male communication antenna 122 a and the female communication antenna 122 b are each a small value, such as several centimeters, displacement of the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a relative to the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b, respectively, can cause breakdown of wireless communication therebetween. However, the connection structure 100 is configured such the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a and the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b can be disposed within a range allowing wireless communication therebetween merely by inserting and fixedly positioning the male connector 100 a into the connection hole 111 b of the female connector 100 b. This configuration can thus avoid the above risk of communication breakdown.

Fifth, it is possible to reduce the risk of breakdown of wireless power transmission between the male power-reception antennas 140 a and the female power-transmission antennas 140 b. This is because, in the connected state, the male power-reception antennas 140 a and the female power-transmission antennas 140 b are arranged such that the female power-transmission antennas 140 b can wirelessly transmit power to the respective male power-reception antennas 140 a. Especially in the case where, as in the case of power transmission by electromagnetic induction, the female power-transmission antennas 140 b can wirelessly transmit power over only a small distance to the respective male power-reception antennas 140 a, displacement of the male power-reception antennas 140 a relative to the female power-transmission antennas 140 b can cause breakdown of wireless power transmission. However, the connection structure 100 is configured such that the male power-reception antennas 140 a and the female power-transmission antennas 140 b can be disposed within a range allowing wireless power transmission therebetween merely by inserting and fixedly positioning the male connector 100 a into the connection hole 111 b of the female connector 100 b. This configuration can thus avoid the above risk of breakdown of wireless power transmission.

Embodiment 2

A male connector 100 a according to Embodiment 2 of the invention be described below with reference to FIG. 6A. The male connector 100 a′ has the same configuration as the male connector 100 a of Embodiment 1 except for the following differences. The first difference is that the male body 110 a′ has a different shape from that of the male body 110 a of Embodiment 1. The second difference is that the first mate circuit board 171 a, the pair of second male circuit boards 172 a, and the third male circuit board 173 a of this embodiment integrally embedded inside a male body 110 a′ are located at different positions from the positions in which the first male circuit board 171 a, the second male circuit boards 172 a, and the third male circuit board 173 a of Embodiment 1 embedded inside the male body 110 a. These differences will be described below in detail, but overlapping descriptions will be omitted. The Y-Y′ direction shown in FIG. 6A corresponding to the lengthwise direction of the male connector 100 a′ and the insertion/extraction direction of the male connector 100 a′ as described below. The Z-Z′ direction shown in FIG. 6A corresponds to the height direction of the male connector 100 a′.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the male body 110 a′ includes a first body 111 a′ and a second body 112 a′. The first body 111 a′ is insulating resin formed in the shape of polyhedron (hexahedron (rectangular parallelepiped) in the case of Embodiment 2). The second body 112 a′ is also insulating resin formed in the shape of polyhedron (hexahedron (rectangular parallelepiped) in the case of Embodiment 2). The second body 112 a′ is connected to the first body 111 a′ and has a larger outer shape than the first body 111 a′. The first and second bodies 111 a 1′ and 112 a′ are non-translucent (opaque). The first body 111 a′ has a plurality of outer surfaces 111 a 1′, namely a front (Y direction-side) surface 111 a 1′, an upper (Z direction-side) surface 111 a 1′, a lower (Z′ direction-side) surface 111 a 1′, and a pair of lateral surfaces (i.e. surfaces in the short direction, not shown). The second body 112 a′ has a plurality of outer surfaces 112 a 1′, namely an upper (Z direction-side) surface 112 a 1′, a lower (Z′ direction-side) surface 112 a 1′, a pair of lateral surfaces (i.e. surfaces in the short direction, not shown). The outer surfaces 111 a 1′ and 112 a 1′ corresponds to non-overlapping outer surface regions of the mate body as defined in the claims.

The first male circuit board 171 a is integrally embedded inside the first body 111 a′ such that the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a are located near (e.g. at a distance in the range of a few millimeters to several tens of millimeters from) the upper surface 111 a 1′ of the first body 111 a′ of the male body 110 a′. In other words, the first male circuit board 171 a is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the first body 111 a′ at a point farther from the upper surface 111 a 1′ tall than the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a are, and conversely the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a are integrally embedded inside (covered with) the first body 111 a′ at points closer to the upper surface 111 a 1′ than the first male circuit board 171 a is. The first male circuit board 171 a is oriented substantially in parallel to the upper surface 111 a 1′. The third male circuit board 173 a is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the first body 111 a′ of the male body 110 a′ so as to be located below (on Z′ direction-side of) the first male circuit board 171 a in the first body 111 a′.

One of the second male circuit boards 172 a is integrally embedded inside the second body 112 a′ such that one of the male power-reception antennas 140 a is located near the upper surface 112 a 1′ of the second body 112 a′ of the male body 110 a′. In other words, the one of the second male circuit boards 172 a is integrally embedded inside (covered with) in the second body 112 a′ at a point farther from the upper surface 112 a 1′ than the one of the male power-reception antennas 140 a is, and conversely the one of the male power-reception antennas 140 a is integrally embedded inside (covered with) in the second body 112 a′ at a point closer to the upper surface 112 a 1′ than the one of the second male circuit boards 172 a is. The one of the second male circuit boards 172 a may be substantially parallel, inclined, or orthogonal relative to the upper surfaces 111 a. The other second male circuit board 172 a is integrally embedded inside the second body 112 a′ such that the other male power-reception antenna 140 a is located near the lower surface 112 a 1′ of the second body 112 a′. In other words, the other second male circuit board 172 a is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the second body 112 a′ at a point farther from the lower surface 112 a 1′ than the other male power-reception antenna 140 a is, and conversely the other male power-reception antenna 140 a is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the second body 112 a′ at a point closer to the lower surface 112 a 1′ than the other second male circuit board 172 a is. The other second male circuit board 172 a may be substantially parallel, inclined, or orthogonal relative to the lower surface 112 a 1′.

The male connector 100 a′ as described above may be manufactured in the steps as detailed below. The manufacturing method may be the same as that for the male connector 100 a of Embodiment 1, from the step of preparing the first male circuit board 171 a, the pair of second male circuit boards 172 a, and the third male circuit board 173 a until just before the step of placing the first male circuit board 171 a, the pair of second male circuit boards 172 a, the third male circuit board 173 a, the first and second connection means, and one end portion of the cable into a cavity of a die. The cavity, not shown, of the die consists of a first cavity, adapted for forming the first body 111 a′, and a second cavity, adapted for forming the second body 112 a′.

The first male circuit board 171 a, the pair of second male circuit boards 172 a, the third male circuit board 173 a, the first and second connection means, and the end portion of the cable are placed in the cavity of the die in the following arrangement. The first male circuit board 171 a is fixed in the first cavity of the die such that the first male circuit board 171 a is substantially parallel to the upper wall of the first cavity and that the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a are disposed near the same wall. The third male circuit board 173 a is fixed in the first cavity of the die so as to be located below the first male circuit board 171 a. The one of the second male circuit boards 172 a is fixed in the second cavity of the die such that the one of the male power-reception antennas 140 a is located near the upper wall of the second cavity. The other second male circuit board 172 a is fixed in the second cavity of the die such that other male power-reception antenna 140 a is located near the lower wall of the second cavity.

After that, insulating resin is injected and filled into the cavity of the die. The insulating resin that has hardened in the first cavity molds as the male body 111 a′ of the male body 110 a′, while the insulating resin that has hardened in the second cavity molds as the second body 112 a′ of the male body 110 a′. The inserted components are embedded by insert-molding in the male body 111 a′ in the following arrangement. The first male circuit board 171 a, the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a, and the communication circuits 131 a and 132 a are embedded inside the first body 111 a′ of the male body 110 a′ such that the first male circuit board 171 a is substantially parallel to the upper surface 111 a 1′ of the first body 111 a′, and that the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a are disposed near the upper surface 111 a 1′ of the first body 111 a′ of the male body 110 a′; the third male circuit board 173 a, the power-reception circuits 150 a, and the control unit 160 a are embedded inside the first body 111 a′ such that the third male circuit board 173 a is disposed below the first male circuit board 171 a; one of the second male circuit boards 172 a and one of the male power-reception antennas 140 a are embedded inside the second body 112 a′ of the male body 110 a′ such that the one of the male power-reception antennas 140 a is disposed near the upper surface 112 a 1′ of the second body 112 a′; the other second male circuit board 172 a and the other male power-reception antenna 140 a are embedded inside the second body 112 a′ such that the other male power-reception antenna 140 a is disposed near the lower surface 112 a 1′ of the second body 112 a′. This is how the male connector 100 a 1′ is manufactured.

A female connector 100 b′ according to Embodiment 2 of the invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 6B. The female connector 100 b′ is connectable to the male connector 100 a′. The female connector 100 b′ has the same configuration as the female connector 100 b of Embodiment 1 except for the following differences. The first difference is that the female body 110 b′ has a connection hole 111 b′ of a different shape from the connection hole 111 b of the female body 110 b of Embodiment 1. The second difference is that the first female circuit board 171 b, the pair of second female circuit boards 172 b, and the third female circuit board 173 b embedded inside the female body 110 b′ are located at different positions from the positions in which the first female circuit board 171 b, the pair of second female circuit boards 172 b, and the third female circuit board 173 b of Embodiment 1 embedded inside the female body 110 b. These differences will be described below in detail, but overlapping descriptions will be omitted. The Y-Y′ direction shown in FIG. 6B corresponds to the lengthwise direction of the female body 110 b′ and also the direction in which the male connector 100 a is inserted into and removed from the female connector 100 b′. The Z-Z′ direction shown in FIG. 613 corresponds to the height direction of the female body 110 b′.

The connection hole 111 b′ of the female body 110 b′ is a bottomed hole that conforms to the outer shape the male connector 100 a and is open in the Y′ direction. The connection hole 111 b′ is adapted to removably receive the male connector 100 a′ in the Y-Y′ direction. The connection hole 111 b′ has a first connection hole 111 b 1′ and a second connection hole 111 b 2′ communication with each other. The first connection hole 111 b 1′ is a hole of hexahedron (rectangular parallelepiped) shape conforming the outer shape of the first body 111 a′ of the male connector 100 a′. The second connection hole 111 b 2′ is a hole of hexahedron (rectangular parallelepiped) shape conforming the outer shape of the second body 112 a′ of the male connector 100 a. The second connection hole 111 b 2′ is of larger size than the first connection hole 111 b 1′. The male connector 100 a′ is fixed in position in the connection hole 111 b′ by fitting the first body 111 a′ into the first connection hole 111 b 1′ and the second body 112 a into the second connection hole 111 b 2′. The female body 110 b′ includes a plurality of walls 112 b 1′ of the first connection hole 111 b 1′, namely a back (Y direction-side) wall 112 b 1′, an upper (Z direction-side) wall 112 b 1′, a lower (Z′ direction-side) wall 112 b 1′, a pair of walls 112 b 1′ in the short direction (one of them is shown and the other is not shown). The female body 110′ also includes a plurality of wall 112 b 2′ of the second connection hole 111 b 2′, namely a back (Y direction-side) wall 112 b 2′, an upper (Z direction-side) wall 112 b 2′, a lower (Z′ direction-side) wall 112 b 2′, a pair of walls 112 b 2′ in the short direction (one of them is shown and the other is not shown). The walls 112 b 1′ and 112 b 2′ correspond to non-overlapping wall regions of the connection hole of the female body as defined in the claims.

In the state where the male connector 100 a′ fixedly fits in the first and second connection holes 111 b 1′, 111 b 2′ of the female connector 100 b′ (this state will be hereinafter referred to as the connected state), the walls 112 b 1′ of the first connection hole 111 b 1′ and walls 112 b 2′ of second connection hole 111 b 2′ may be located as follows. The back wall 112 b 1 may be opposed to the front surface 111 a 1′ of the first body of the male connector 100 a′; the upper wall 112 b 1′ may be opposed to the upper surface 111 a′ of the first body 111 a′; the lower wall 112 b 1′ of the first connection hole 111 b 1′ may be opposed to the lower surface 111 a 1′ of the first body 111 a′, the walls 112 b 1′ in the short direction of the first connection hole 111 b 1′ may be opposed to the respective surfaces 111 a 1′ in the short direction of the first body 111 a′. Also, the upper wall 112 b 2′ of the second connection hole 111 b 2′ may be opposed to the upper surface 112 a 1′ of the second body 112 a′ of the male connector 100 a′, the lower wall 112 b 2′ of the second connection hole 111 b 2′ may be opposed to the lower surface 112 a 1′ of the second body 112 a′, and the walls 112 b 2′ in the short direction of the second connection hole 111 b 2′ may be opposed to the respective surfaces 112 a 1′ of the second body 112 a′.

The first female circuit board 171 b is integrally embedded inside the female body 110 b′ such that the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b are located near (e.g. at a distance in the range of a few millimeters to several tens of millimeters from) the upper wall 112 b 1′ of the first connection hole 111 b′ of the female body 110 b′. In other words, the first female circuit board 171 b is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 1106′ at a point farther from the upper wall 112 b 1′ than the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b are, and conversely the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b are integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 110 b′ at points closer to the upper wall 112 b 1′ than the first female circuit board 171 b is. The first female circuit board 171 b is oriented substantially in parallel to the upper wall 112 b 1′.

One of the second female circuit boards 172 b is integrally embedded inside the female body 110 b′ such that one of the female power-transmission antennas 140 b is located near the upper wall 112 b 2′ of the second connection hole 111 b 2′ of the female body 110 b′. In other words, the one of the second female circuit boards 172 b is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 110 b′ at a point farther from the upper wall 112 b 2′ than the one of the female power-transmission antennas 140 b is, and conversely the one of the female power-transmission antennas 140 b is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 110 b′ at a point closer to the upper wall 112 b 2′ than the one of the second female circuit boards 172 b is. The one of the second female circuit boards 172 b may be substantially parallel, inclined, or orthogonal relative to the upper wall 112 b 2′. The other second female circuit board 172 b is integrally embedded inside the female body 110 b′ such that the other female power-transmission antenna 140 b is located near the lower wall 112 b 2′ of the second connection hole 111 b 2′ of the female body 110 b′. In other words, the other second female circuit board 172 b is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 110 b′ at a point farther from the lower wall 112 b 2′ than the other female power-transmission antenna 140 b is, and conversely the other female power-transmission antenna 140 b is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 110 b′ at a point closer to the lower wall 112 b 2′ than the other second female circuit board 172 b is. The other second female circuit board 172 b may be substantially parallel, inclined, or orthogonal relative to the lower wall 112 b 2′.

The third female circuit board 173 b is embedded inside (covered with) the female body 110 b′ so as to be located above (on the Z direction-side of) the one of the second female circuit boards 172 b′ of the female body 110 b′.

The female connector 100 b′ as described above may be manufactured in the steps as detailed below. The manufacturing method may be the same as that for the female connector 100 b of Embodiment 1, from the step of preparing the first female circuit board 171 b, the pair of second female circuit boards 172 b, and the third female circuit board 173 b until just before the step of placing the first female circuit board 171 b, the pair of second female circuit boards 172 b, the third female circuit board 173 b, the first and second connection means, and the first and second external connection means other than their rear portions in a cavity of a die not shown. The cavity of the die includes a first convex portion, shaped to form the first connection hole 111 b 1′, and a second convex portion, shaped to form the second connection hole 111 b 2′.

The first female circuit board 171 b, the pair of second female circuit boards 172 b, the third female circuit board 173 b, the first and second connection means, and the portion of the first and second external connection means other than their rear portions are placed in the cavity of the die in the following arrangement. The first female circuit board 171 b is fixed such that the first female circuit board 171 b is substantially parallel to the upper face of the first projection of the die, and that the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b are disposed near the same upper face; one of the second female circuit boards 172 b is fixed such that one of the female power-transmission antennas 140 b is located near the upper face of the second projection of the die; the other second female circuit board 172 b is fixed such that the other female power-transmission antenna 140 b is located near the lower face of the second projection of the die; and the third female circuit board 173 b is fixed so as to be located above the one of the second female circuit board 172 b.

After that, insulating resin is injected and filled into the cavity of the die. The insulating resin then hardens to mold as the female body 110 b′. The first projection of the die serves to form the first connection hole of the female body 110 b, and the second projection of the die serves to form the second connection hole 111 b 2′ of the female body 110 b′. The inserted components are embedded in female body 110 b′ by insert-molding in the following arrangement. The first female circuit board 171 b, the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b, and the communication circuits 131 b and 132 b are embedded such that the first female circuit board 171 b is substantially parallel to the upper wall 112 b 1′ of the first connection hole 111 b 1′ of the female body 110 b′ and that the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b are disposed near the upper wall 112 b 1′ of the female body 110 b′; one of the second female circuit boards 172 b and one of the female power-transmission antennas 140 b are embedded such that the one of the female power-transmission antennas 140 b is disposed near the upper wall 112 b 2′ of the second connection hole 111 b 2′ of the female body 110 b′; the other second female circuit board 172 b and the other female power-transmission antenna 140 b are embedded such that the other female power-transmission antenna 140 b is disposed near the lower wall 112 b 2′ of the second connection hole 111 b 2′ of the female body 110 b′; the third female circuit board 173 b, the power-transmission circuits 150 b, and the control unit 160 b are embedded inside the female body 110 b′ such that the third female circuit board 173 b is disposed above the one of the second female circuit boards 172 b. This is how the female connector 100 b is manufactured.

A connection structure 100′ according to Embodiment 2 of the invention includes the male connector 100 a′ and the female connector 100 b′. As shown in FIG. 7, when the male connector 100 a′ is connected to the female connector 100 b′, the male connector 100 a′ fits in the connection hole 111 b′ of the female connector 100 b′ (the first and second bodies 111 a′, 112 a′ fit in the first and second connection holes 111 b 1′ and 111 b 2′, respectively), so that the male connector 100 a′ is fixed in position in the connection hole 111 b′ of the female connector 100 b′. In this state, as described above, the outer surfaces 111 a 1′ of the first body 111 a′ of the male connector 100 a′ are opposed to the respective walls 112 b 1′ of the first connection hole 111 b 1′ of the female connector 100 b′, and the outer surfaces 112 a F of the second body 112 a′ of the male connector 100 a′ are opposed to the respective walls 112 b 2′ of the second connection hole 111 b 2′ of the female connector 100′. Also, the male communication antenna 121 a located near the upper surface 1110′ and the female communication antenna 121 b located near the upper wall 112 b 1′ are disposed such that these antennas can wirelessly communicate with each other. The male communication antenna 122 a located near the upper surface 111 a 1′ and the female communication antenna 122 b located near the upper wall 112 b 1′ are disposed such that these antennas can wirelessly communicate with each other. One of the male power-reception antennas 140 a located near the upper surface 112 a 1′ and one of the female power-transmission antennas 140 b located near the upper wall 112 b 2′ are disposed such that these antennas can wirelessly transfer power therebetween. The other male power-reception antenna 140 a located near the lower surface 112 a 1′ and the other female power-transmission antenna 140 b located near the lower wall 112 b 2 are disposed such that these antennas can wirelessly transfer power therebetween. This is the connected state of the connection structure 100′ in which the male connector 100 a′ is connected to the female connector 100 b′.

The connection structure 100′ has similar technical features as those of the connection structure 100 of Embodiment 1.

Embodiment 3

A male connector 200 a according to Embodiment 3 of the invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 8A. The male connector 200 a includes a male body 210 a, a male communication antenna 221 a, a male communication antenna 222 a, two communication circuits (not shown), two male power-reception antennas 230 a, two power-reception circuits 240 a, a control unit 250 a, a first male circuit board 261 a, two second male circuit boards 262 a, a third male circuit board 263 a, and a cable (not shown). These components of the male connector 200 a will be described below in detail. The Y-Y′ direction shown in FIG. 8A corresponds to a radial direction of the male connector 200 a and also the insertion/extraction direction of the male connector 200 a. The Z-Z′ direction shown in FIG. 8A corresponds to another radial direction of the male connector 200 a.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the male body 210 a is a spherical body of an insulating resin. The male body 210 a is non-translucent (opaque). The male body 210 a has a spherical outer surface 211 a, which includes a plurality of outer surface regions 212 a that do not overlap each other. For convenience of explanation, these outer surface regions 212 a will be referred to as follows: the middle outer surface region as shown in FIG. 8A will be referred to as a middle surface region 212 a; the outer surface region on the upper side as shown will be referred to as an upper surface region 212 a; and the outer surface region on the lower side as shown will be referred to as a lower surface region 212 a.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the first male circuit board 261 a is a flexible printed circuit board or a PET circuit board, which is curved in arc shape along the outer surface 211 a of the male body 210 a. On the first male circuit board 261 a mounted are the male communication antennas 221 a and 222 a and two communication circuits. The male communication antennas 221 a and 222 a are thus electrically connected to the first male circuit board 261 a. The male communication antennas 221 a and 222 a have the same configuration as the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a of Embodiment 1. The two communication circuits have the same configuration as the communication circuits 131 a and 132 a of Embodiment 1.

The first male circuit board 261 a is integrally embedded inside the male body 210 a such that the male communication antennas 221 a and 222 a are located near (e.g. at a distance in the range of a few millimeters to several tens of millimeters from) the middle surface region 212 a of the male body 210 a. In other words, the first male circuit board 261 a is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the male body 210 a at a point farther from the middle surface region 212 a than the male communication antennas 221 a and 222 a are, and conversely the male communication antennas 221 a and 222 a are integrally embedded inside (covered with) the male body 210 a at points closer to the middle surface region 212 a than the first male circuit board 261 a is. The first male circuit board 261 a is substantially parallel to the middle surface region 212 a.

The second male circuit boards 262 a are flexible printed circuit boards or PET circuit boards, which are curved in arc shape along the outer surface 211 a of the male body 210 a. One of the male power-reception antennas 230 a is provided on one of the second male circuit boards 262 a, and the other male power-reception antenna 230 a is provided on the other second male circuit board 262 a. That is, the one of the male power-reception antennas 230 a is electrically connected to the one of the second male circuit boards 262 a, and the other male power-reception antenna 230 a is electrically connected to the other second male circuit board 262 a. The male power-reception antennas 230 a have the same configuration as the male power-reception antennas 140 a of Embodiment 1.

One of the second male circuit boards 262 a is integrally embedded inside the male body 210 a such that the one of the male power-reception antennas 230 a is located near the upper surface region 212 a of the male body 210 a. In other words, the one of the second male circuit boards 262 a is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the male body 210 a at a point farther from the upper surface region 212 a than the one of the male power-reception antenna 230 a is, and conversely the one of the male power-reception antenna 230 a is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the male body 210 a at a point closer to the upper surface region 212 a than the one of the second male circuit boards 262 a is. The one of the second male circuit boards 262 a may be substantially parallel, inclined, or orthogonal relative to the upper surface region 212 a. The other second male circuit board 262 a is integrally embedded inside the male body 210 a such that the other male power-reception antenna 230 a is located near the lower surface region 212 a of the male body 210 a. In other words, the other second male circuit board 262 a is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the male body 210 a at a point farther from the lower surface region 212 a than the other male power-reception antenna 230 a is, and conversely the other male power-reception antenna 230 a is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the male body 210 a at a point closer to the lower surface region 212 a than the other second male circuit board 262 a is. The other second male circuit board 262 a may be substantially parallel, inclined, or orthogonal relative to the lower surface region 212 a.

The third male circuit board 263 a is a flexible printed circuit board or a PET circuit board. The third male circuit board 263 a is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the male body 210 a so as to be located closer to the center of the male body 210 a than the first male circuit board 261 a. The third male circuit board 263 a is connected to the first male circuit board 261 a via first connection means (not shown), such as pins, lead wires, or an FPC. The third male circuit board 263 a is connected to the pair of second male circuit boards 262 a via second connection means (not shown), such as pins, lead wires, or FPCs.

The power-reception circuits 240 a have the same configuration as the power-reception circuits 150 a of Embodiment 1. The power-reception circuits 240 a are mounted on the third male circuit board 263 a and integrally embedded inside (covered with) the male body 210 a together with the third male circuit board 263 a.

The control unit 250 a has the same configuration as the control unit 160 a of Embodiment 1. The control unit 250 a is mounted on the third male circuit board 263 a and integrally embedded inside (covered with) the male body 210 a, together with the third male circuit board 263 a.

The cable has the same configuration as the cable of Embodiment 1. Communication lines protruding from an end portion of the cable are connected to the third male circuit board 263 a and thereby connected to the control unit 250 a. Power lines protruding from the end portion of the cable are connected to the third male circuit board 263 a and thereby connected to the power-reception circuits 240 a. The one end portion of the cable (including the protruding communication lines and power lines) is integrally embedded inside the male body 210 a. In other words, the portion other than the one end portion of the cable is led out of the male body 210 a in the Y′ direction.

The male connector 200 a as described above may be manufactured in the steps as detailed below. The manufacturing method may be the same as that for the male connector 100 a of Embodiment 1, from the step of preparing the first male circuit hoard 261 a, the pair of second male circuit boards 262 a, and the third male circuit board 263 a until just before the step of placing the first male circuit hoard 261 a, the pair of second male circuit boards 262 a, the third male circuit board 263 a, the first and second connection means, and the one end portion of the cable in a cavity of a die (not shown).

The first male circuit board 261 a, the pair of second male circuit boards 262 a, the third male circuit board 263 a, the first and second connection means, and the one end of the cable are placed in the cavity of the die (not shown) in the following arrangement. The first male circuit board 261 a is fixed such that the first male circuit board 261 a is substantially parallel to an area of a wall of the cavity corresponding to the middle surface region 212 a, and that the male communication antennas 221 a and 222 a are disposed near the same area; the third male circuit board 263 a is fixed in the cavity closer to the center of the cavity than the first male circuit board 261 a; one of the second male circuit board 262 a is fixed in the cavity of the die such that one of the male power-reception antennas 230 a is located near an area of a wall of the cavity corresponding to the upper surface region 212 a; and the other second male circuit board 262 a is fixed in the cavity of the die such that the other male power-reception antenna 230 a is located near an area of a wall of the cavity corresponding to the lower surface region 212 a.

After that, insulating resin is injected and filled into the cavity of the die. The insulating resin then hardens to mold as the male body 210 a with the inserted components embedded therein by insert-molding in the following arrangement. The first male circuit board 261 a, the male communication antennas 221 a and 222 a, and the communication circuits are embedded such that the first male circuit board 261 a is substantially parallel to the middle surface region 212 a 1 of the male body 210 a, and that the male communication antennas 221 a and 222 a are disposed near the middle surface region 212 a 1 of the male body 210 a; the third male circuit board 263 a, the power-reception circuits 240 a, and the control unit 250 a are embedded such that the third male circuit board 263 a is disposed closer to the center of the male body 210 a than the first male circuit board 261 a; one of the second male circuit boards 262 a and one of the male power-reception antennas 230 a are embedded such that the one of the male power-reception antennas 230 a is disposed near the upper surface region 212 a of the male body 210 a; and the other second male circuit board 262 a and the other male power-reception antenna 230 a are embedded such that the other male power-reception antenna 230 a is disposed near the lower surface region 212 a of the male body 210 a. This is how the male connector 200 a is manufactured.

A female connector 200 b according to Embodiment 3 of the invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 8B. The female connector 200 b is connectable to the male connector 200 a. The female connector 200 b includes a female body 210 b, a female communication antenna 221 b, a female communication antenna 222 b, two communication circuits (not shown), two female power-transmission antennas 230 b, two power-transmission circuits 240 b, a control unit 250 b, a first female circuit board 261 b, two second female circuit boards 262 b, a third female circuit board 263 b, a plurality of first external connection means (not shown), and a plurality of second external connection means (not shown). These components of the female connector 200 b will be described below in detail. The Y-Y direction shown in FIG. 8B corresponds to the direction in which the male connector 200 a is inserted into and removed from the female connector 200 b. The Z-Z′ direction in FIG. 8B shown corresponds to the height direction of the female connector 200 b.

The female body 210 b as shown in FIG. 8B is made of an insulating resin. The female body 210 b is non-translucent (opaque). The female body 210 b has a connection hole 211 b. The connection hole 211 b is a hemispheric hole that conforms to the outer shape of the male connector 200 a and is open in the Y′ direction. The connection hole 211 b is adapted to removably receive the male connector 200 a in the Y-Y′ direction. The male connector 200 a can fit into the connection hole 211 b so as to be fixed in the connection hole 2116. The connection hole 211 b of the female body 210 b has a hemispherical wall 212 b, which includes a plurality of wall regions 213 b that do not overlap each other. For convenience of explanation, these wall regions 213 b will be referred to as follows: the middle region as shown in FIG. 8A will be referred to as a central wall region 213 b; the region on the upper side as shown will be referred to as an upper wall region 213 b; and the region on the lower side as shown will be referred to as a lower wall region 213 b.

In the state where the male connector 200 a fixedly fits in the connection hole 211 b of the female connector 200 b (this state will be hereinafter referred to as the connected state), the central wall region 213 b can be opposed to the middle surface region 212 a of the male connector 200 a, the upper wall region 213 b can be opposed to the upper surface region 212 a of the male connector 200 a, and the lower wall region 213 b can be opposed to the lower surface region 212 a of the male connector 200 a.

The first female circuit board 261 b is a flexible printed circuit board or a PET circuit board, which is curved along the wall 212 b of the connection hole 211 b of the female body 210 b. On the first female circuit board 261 b mounted are the female communication antennas 221 b and 222 b and the two communication circuits. The female communication antennas 221 b and 222 b are thus electrically connected to the first female circuit board 261 b. The female communication antennas 221 b and 222 b have the same configuration as the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b of Embodiment 1. The two communication circuits have the same configuration as the communication circuits 131 b and 132 b of Embodiment 1.

The first female circuit board 261 b is integrally embedded inside the female body 210 b such that the female communication antennas 221 b and 222 b are located near (e.g. at a distance in the range of a few millimeters to several tens of millimeters from) the central wall region 213 b of the connection hole 211 b of the female body 210 b. In other words, the first female circuit board 261 b is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 210 b at a point farther front the central wall region 213 b than the female communication antennas 221 b and 222 b are, and conversely the female communication antennas 221 b and 222 b are integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 210 b at points closer to the central wall region 213 b than the first female circuit board 261 b is. The first female circuit board 261 b is substantially parallel to the central wall region 213 b.

The second female circuit boards 262 b are flexible printed circuit boards or PET circuit boards, which are curved in arc shape along the wall 212 b of the connection hole 211 b of the female body 210 b. One of the female power-transmission antennas 230 b is provided on one of the second female circuit boards 262 b, and the other female power-transmission antenna 230 b is provided on the other second female circuit board 262 b. That is, the one of the female power-transmission antennas 230 b is electrically connected to the one of the second female circuit boards 262 b, and the other female power-transmission antenna 230 b is electrically connected to the other second female circuit board 262 b. The female power-transmission antennas 230 b have the same configuration as the female power-transmission antennas 140 b of Embodiment 1.

One of the second female circuit board 262 b is integrally embedded inside the female body 210 b such that one of the female power-transmission antennas 230 b is located near the upper wall region 213 b of the female body 210 b. In other words, the one of the second female circuit boards 262 b is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 210 b at a point farther from the upper wall region 213 b than the one of the female power-transmission antennas 230 b is, and conversely the one of the female power-transmission antenna 230 b is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 210 b at a point closer to the upper wall region 213 b than the one of the second female circuit boards 262 b is. The one of the second female circuit boards 262 b may be substantially parallel, inclined, or orthogonal relative to the upper wall region 213 b. The other second female circuit board 262 b is integrally embedded inside the female body 210 b such that the other female power-transmission antenna 230 b is located near the lower wall region 213 b of the female body 210 b. In other words, the other second female circuit board 262 b is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 210 b at a point farther from the lower wall region 213 b than the other female power-transmission antenna 230 b is, and conversely the other female power-transmission antenna 230 b is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 210 b at a point closer to the lower wall region 213 b than the other second female circuit board 262 b is. The other second female circuit board 262 b may be substantially parallel, inclined, or orthogonal relative to the lower wall region 213 b.

The third female circuit board 263 b is a rigid printed circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board, or a PET circuit board. The third female circuit board 263 b is integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 210 b so as to be located on the Y-direction side of the first female circuit board 261 b of the female body 210 b. The third female circuit board 263 b is connected to the first female circuit board 261 b via first connection means (not shown), such as pins, lead wires, or an FPC. The third female circuit board 263 b is connected to the pair of second female circuit boards 262 b via second connection means (not shown), such as pins, lead wires, or FPCs.

The power-transmission circuits 240 b have the same configuration as the power-transmission circuits 150 b of Embodiment 1. The power-transmission circuits 240 b are mounted on the third female circuit board 263 b and integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 210 b together with the third female circuit board 263 b.

The control unit 250 b has the same configuration as the control unit 160 b of Embodiment 1. The control unit 250 b is mounted on the third female circuit board 263 b and integrally embedded inside (covered with) the female body 210 b together with the third female circuit board 263 b.

The first external connection means have the same configuration as the first external connection means of Embodiment 1. The second external connection means have the same configuration as the second external connection means of Embodiment 1.

The female connector 200 b as described above may be manufactured in the steps as detailed below. The manufacturing method may be the same as that for the female connector 200 b of Embodiment 1, from the step of preparing the first female circuit board 261 b, the pair of second female circuit boards 262 b, and the third female circuit board 263 b until just before the step of placing the first female circuit board 261 b, the pair of second female circuit boards 262 b, the third female circuit board 263 b, the first and second connection means, and the first and second external connection means other than their rear portions in a cavity of a die (not shown).

The first female circuit board 261 b, the pair of second female circuit boards 262 b, the third female circuit board 263 b, the first and second connection means, and the first and second external connection means other than their rear portions are placed in the cavity of the die (not shown) in the following arrangement. The first female circuit board 261 b is fixed such that the first female circuit board 261 b is substantially parallel to an area of a hemispherical convex portion in the cavity corresponding to the middle surface region 212 a, and that the female communication antennas 221 b and 222 b are disposed near the same area; the third female circuit board 263 b is fixed so as to be located on the Y-direction side of the first female circuit board 261 b; one of the second female circuit boards 262 b is fixed such that one of the female power-transmission antennas 230 b is located near an area of the convex portion of the die corresponding to the upper surface region 212 a; and the other second female circuit board 262 b is fixed in the cavity of the die such that the other female power-transmission antenna 230 b is located near an area of the convex portion of the die corresponding to the lower surface region 212 a.

After that, insulating resin is injected and filled into the cavity of the die. The insulating resin then hardens to mold as the female body 210 b. The projection of the die serves to form the connection hole 211 b of the female body 210 b. The inserted components are embedded by insert-molding in the female body 210 b in the following arrangement. The first female circuit board 261 b, the female communication antennas 221 b and 222 b, and the communication circuits 131 b and 132 b are embedded such that the first female circuit board 261 b is substantially parallel to the central wall region 213 b of the connection hole 211 b of the female body 210 b, and that the female communication antennas 221 b and 222 b are disposed near the central wall region 213 b of the female body 210 b; one of the second female circuit boards 262 b and one of the female power-transmission antennas 230 b are embedded such that the one of the female power-transmission antennas 230 b is disposed near the upper wall region 213 b of the connection hole 211 b of the female body 210 b; the other second female circuit board 262 b and the other female power-transmission antenna 230 b are embedded such that the other female power-transmission antenna 230 b is disposed near the lower wall region 213 b of the connection hole 211 b of the female body 210 b; and the third female circuit board 263 b, the power-transmission circuits 240 b, and the control unit 250 b are embedded such that the third female circuit board 263 b is disposed on the Y-direction side of the first female circuit board 261 b. This is how the female connector 200 b is manufactured.

A connection structure 200 according to Embodiment 3 of the invention includes the male connector 200 a and the female connector 200 b as described above. As shown in FIG. 9, when the male connector 200 a is connected to the female connector 200 b, the male connector 200 a fits into the connection hole 211 b of the female connector 200 b so as to be fixed in position in the connection hole 211 b of the female connector 200 b. More particularly, as described above, the outer surface regions 212 a of the male connector 200 a are opposed substantially in parallel to the respective wall regions 213 b of the connection hole 211 b of the female connector 200 b; the male communication antenna 221 a located near the middle surface region 212 a and the female communication antenna 221 b located near the central wall region 213 b are disposed such that these antennas can wirelessly communicate with each other; the male communication antenna 222 a located near the middle surface region 212 a and the female communication antenna 222 b located near the central wall region 213 b are disposed such that these antennas can wirelessly communicate with each other; the one of the male power-reception antennas 230 a located near the upper surface region 212 a and the one of the female power-transmission antennas 230 b located near the upper wall region 213 b are disposed such that these antennas can wirelessly transfer power therebetween; and the other male power-reception antenna 230 a located near the lower surface region 212 a and the other female power-transmission antenna 230 b located near the lower wall region 213 b are disposed such that these antennas can wirelessly transfer power therebetween. This is the connected state of the connection structure 200 in which the male connector 200 a is connected to the female connector 200 b.

The connection structure 200 has similar technical features as those of the connection structure 100 of Embodiment 1.

The male connector, the female connector, and connection structure therebetween of the invention are not limited to those of the embodiments but may be modified in any manner within the scope of the claims. Specific modifications will be described below in detail.

The male connector of the invention may be any connector including a male body; a male communication antenna that is provided inside the male body and can wirelessly communicate a signal, and a first male circuit board electrically connected to the male communication antenna.

For example, the male connector may include a male body, a plurality of male communication antennas, and a plurality of first male circuit boards. In this case, at least one of the male communication antennas may be provided on each of the first male circuit boards. The first male circuit boards may be integrally embedded inside the male body by insert-molding, or housed in a housing space (to be described) of the male body, such that at least one of the male communication antennas on one of the first male circuit boards is provided near one of the outer surface regions of the male body and that another at least one of the male communication antennas on another one of the first male circuit boards is provided near another one of the outer surface regions of the male body.

Alternatively, the male connector may include a male body, a plurality of male communication antennas, and a first male circuit board having a plurality of first male portions. In this case, at least one of the male communication antennas may be provided on each of the first male portions. The first male portions may be integrally embedded inside the male body by insert-molding, or housed in a housing space of the male body, such that at least one of the male communication antennas on one of the first male portions is provided near one of the outer surface regions of the male body and that another at least one of the male communication antennas on another one of the first male portions is provided near another one of the outer surface regions of the male body. For example, the first male circuit board may be a rigid flexible circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board, or a PET circuit board. Such a first male circuit board can be bent or curved such that the first male portions thereof are embedded inside the male body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the male body, that at least one of the male communication antennas on one of the first male portions is provided near one of the outer surface regions of the male body, and that another at least one of the male communication antennas on another one of the first male portions is provided near another one of the outer surface regions of the male body.

Still alternatively, the male connector may include a male body, a male communication antenna, a male power-reception/transmission antenna, and a first male circuit board having a first male portion and a second male portion in the following arrangement. The male communication antenna is provided on the first male portion; the male power-reception/transmission antenna is provided on the second male portion, not on the second male circuit board as in the above-described embodiments; the first male portion is integrally embedded inside the male body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the male body such that the male communication antenna is located near one of the outer surface regions of the male body; and the second male portion, together with the male power-reception/transmission antenna, is integrally embedded inside the male body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the male body.

Further, the second male portion may be integrally embedded inside the male body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the male body such that the male power-reception/transmission antenna is located near another one of the outer surface regions other than the outer surface region near the male communication antenna. In this case, the first male circuit board may be a rigid flexible circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board, or a PET circuit board. Such a first male circuit board can be bent or curved such that the first male portion thereof is integrally embedded inside the male body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the male body, and that the male communication antenna is located near an outer surface region of the male body. On the other hand, the second male portion of the first male circuit board may be integrally embedded inside the male body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the male body such that the male power-reception/transmission antenna is located near another one of the outer surface regions other than the outer surface region near the male communication antenna.

The male body of the invention may be any body inside which at least a male communication antenna is provided. For example, there may be at least one housing space inside the male body. The housing space(s) may house at least a male communication antenna, which may not be exposed from the male body. The male body 110 a, 110 a′ as described above may be modified to have at least one housing space. The housing space(s) may house the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a, the communication circuits 131 a and 132 a, the male power-reception antennas 140 a, the power-reception circuits 150 a, the control unit 160 a, the first male circuit board 171 a, the second male circuit boards 172 a, and the third male circuit board 173 a. Alternatively, at least one of the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a and the male power-reception antennas 140 a may be embedded inside the male body 110 a, 110 a′ by insert-molding as in the embodiments, while the remainder of the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a and the male power-reception antennas 140 a, the communication circuits 131 a and 132 a, the power-reception circuits 150 a, the control unit 160 a, the first male circuit board 171 a, the second male circuit boards 172 a and third male circuit board 173 a may be housed in the housing space(s) of the male body 110 a, 110 a′. In this case, the antenna(s) to be insert-molded into the male body 110 a, 110 a may be a coil or terminal (to be described), which may be connected to the associated circuit board in the housing space(s) via connection means such as lead wires or FPCs. Still alternatively, the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a, the communication circuits 131 a and 132 a, and the first male circuit board 171 a may be embedded inside the male body 110 a, 110 a′ by insert-molding as in the above embodiments, while the male power-reception antennas 140 a, the power-reception circuits 150 a, the control unit 160 a, the second male circuit boards 172 a, and the third male circuit board 173 a may be housed in the housing space(s) in the male body 110 a, 110 a. In this case, the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a may be conductors, coils, or terminals. Still alternatively, the male power-reception antennas 140 a and second male circuit boards 172 a may be embedded inside the male body 110 a, 110 a′ by insert-molding as in the embodiments, while the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a, the communication circuits 131 a and 132 a, the first male circuit board 171 a, the power-reception circuits 150 a, the control unit 160 a, and the third male circuit board 173 a may be housed in the housing space(s) in the male body 110 a, 110 a′. In this case, the male power-reception antennas 140 a may be conductors, coils, or terminals. Still alternatively, the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a, the communication circuits 131 a and 132 a, the first male circuit board 171 a, the male power-reception antennas 140 a, and the second male circuit boards 172 a may be embedded inside the male body 110 a, 110 a′ by insert-molding as in the embodiments, while the power-reception circuits 150 a, the control unit 160 a, the second male circuit boards 172 a, and the third male circuit board 173 a may be housed in the housing space(s) in the male body 110 a, 110 a′. In this case, the male communication antennas 121 a and 122 a and/or the male power-reception antennas 140 a may be conductors, coils, or terminals. One of the advantages in disposing any of the antennas and/or the circuit boards in the housing space(s) of the male body is that there is no need to consider the effect of resin flowing onto the antennas and/or the circuit boards when insert-molding them in the male body, thereby increasing the flexibility in the shape and arrangement of the antennas and/or the circuit boards. The male body 210 a may also be modified in similar manners to the male body 110 a or 110 a′.

The male body of the invention may have any outer shape adapted to be received in a connection hole of the female connector. For example, the male body may include insulating resin in the shape of polyhedron (e.g. polygonal column or polygonal pyramid), hemisphere, bombshell, circular cylinder, or truncated cone.

The outer surface regions of the male body of the invention may be any non-overlapping regions of any outer surface or surfaces of the male body. If the male body is in the shape of polyhedron, circular cylinder, or truncated cone, a plurality of outer surfaces of polyhedron, the circular cylinder, or the truncated cone shape may serve as outer surface regions, or at least one outer surface may include a plurality of non-overlapping outer surface regions. If the male body is in the shape of hemisphere or bombshell, its round outer surface may include a plurality of non-overlapping outer surface regions. Further, the male body may include a first body and a second body contiguous with each other, and the second body may have a larger or smaller outer shape than the first body. The first and second bodies may each be insulating resin in the shape of polyhedron (e.g. polygonal column or polygonal pyramid), hemisphere, bombshell, circular cylinder, or truncated cone. At least one of the first and second bodies may have a plurality of outer surface regions. Also in this case, a plurality of outer surfaces of at least one of the first and second bodies may serve as outer surface regions, or at least one surface of the first and second bodies may include a plurality of non-overlapping outer surface regions. The male body of the invention may be visually transparent.

The male communication antenna of the invention may be any antenna that is capable of communicating signals wirelessly and electrically connected to the first male circuit board. For example, the male communication antenna of any of the embodiments and the modified examples as described may be provided on the first male circuit board, or may be electrically connected to the first male circuit board via known connection means. At least one of the male communication antennas of the embodiments or the modification examples may be integrally embedded inside the male body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the male body so as to be located near one of the outer surface regions of any of the embodiments or the modification examples. The male communication antenna(s) of the invention may be a communication antenna(s) for transmission or for reception. The male communication antenna(s) of the invention may preferably be a conductor, a coil, or a terminal (e.g. machined metal plate) but not limited thereto. The conductor may be formed on the first male circuit board or on an inner wall of a housing space of the male body.

The communication circuits of the male connector are not essential to the invention. The communication circuits of the male connector of the invention may be modified in any manner as long as it is connected to a male communication antenna of any one of the above-described aspects and can wirelessly transmit or receive signals using the male communication antenna. For example, the communication circuit(s) of the male connector may be electrically connected to a circuit board other than the first male circuit board. The communication circuit(s) may be omitted in the male connector and may be provided outside the male connector instead. In this case, the communication circuit(s) may be connected via known connection means to a male communication antenna of any one of the above-described aspects.

The male power-reception antennas are not essential to the invention. The male power-reception antenna of the invention may be modified in any manner as long as it is electrically connected to a first male circuit board or a second male circuit board and integrally embedded inside the male body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the male body. For example, the male power-reception antenna of any of the embodiments and the modification examples may be provided on a second male portion of the first male circuit board or on the second male circuit board, or may be electrically connected to the first male circuit board or the second male circuit board via known connection means. At least one of the male power-reception antennas of the embodiments and the modification examples may be integrally embedded inside the male body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the male body so as to be located near another one of the outer surface regions, of any of the embodiments and the modification examples, other than the outer surface region, of any of the embodiments and the modification examples, near the male communication antenna. The male power-reception antenna, if housed in a housing space of the male body, is not exposed from the male body.

The male power-reception antennas of any of the above-described aspects may be replaced with a male power-transmission antenna(s) that can wirelessly transmit electric power. The male power-transmission antenna of the invention only needs to be electrically connected to the first male circuit board or the second male circuit board. For example, the male power-transmission antenna may be provided on the second male portion of the first male circuit board or on the second male circuit board, or may be electrically connected via known connection means to the first male circuit board or the second male circuit board. At least one of the male power-transmission antennas of the invention may be integrally embedded inside the male body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the male body so as to be located near another one of the outer surface regions, of any of the embodiments and the modification examples, other than the outer surface region, of any of the embodiments and the modification examples, near the male communication antenna. The male connector of the invention, if including a male power-reception antenna(s) in place of the male power-transmission antennas, may include a power-transmission circuit(s) in place of the power-reception circuits. The power-transmission circuit(s) may be provided on the second male portion of the first male circuit board, the second male circuit board, or the third male circuit board. The male connector of the invention may include both the male power-reception antenna(s) and the male power-transmission antenna(s) of any of the above-described aspects. The male power-reception/transmission antenna(s) of the invention may preferably be a conductor, a coil, or a terminal (e.g. a machined metal plate) but not limited thereto. The conductor may be formed on the second male portion of the first male circuit board, the second male circuit board, or a wall of a housing space of the male body.

The power-reception circuits and/or the power-transmission circuits of the male connector are not essential to the invention. The power-reception circuit(s) of the male connector of the invention may be modified in any manner as long as it can direct the male power-reception antenna(s) of any of the above-described aspects to wirelessly receive electric power. For example, the power-reception circuit(s) may be mounted on at least one of the second male portion of the first male circuit board, the second male circuit board, and the third male circuit board. The power-reception circuit(s) may be omitted in the male connector and may be provided outside the male connector instead. In this case, the power-reception circuit(s) may be connected via known connection means to a male power-reception antenna(s) of any of the above-described aspects. The power-transmission circuit(s) of the male connector of the invention may be modified in any manner as long as it can direct the male power-transmission antenna(s) of any of the above-described aspects to wirelessly transfer electric power. For example, the power-transmission circuit(s) may be mounted on at least one of the second male portion of the first male circuit board, the second male circuit boards, and the third male circuit board. The power-transmission circuit(s) may be omitted in the male connector and may be provided outside the male connector instead. In this case, the power-transmission circuit(s) may be connected via known connection means to the male power-transmission antenna(s) of any of the above-described aspects via known connection means.

The first male circuit board of the invention may be disposed outside the male body of any of the embodiments and the modification examples and fixed to the male body. The first male circuit board of the invention may be provided inside the male body of any of the embodiments and the modification examples. The first male circuit board, if provided thereon with the male communication antenna(s) of any of the above-described aspects, may be integrally embedded inside the male body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the male body such that the male communication antenna(s) is located near one of the outer surface regions of any of the above-described aspects. The first male circuit board may be substantially parallel, inclined, or orthogonal relative to any of the outer surface regions. The first male portion(s), if any, of the first male circuit board of the invention may be provided inside the male body of any of the embodiments and the modification examples. The first male portion, if provided thereon with the male communication antenna(s) of any of the above-described aspects, may be integrally embedded inside the male body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the male body such that the male communication antenna(s) is located near one of the outer surface regions of any of the above-described aspects. The first male portion may be substantially parallel, inclined, or orthogonal relative to any of the outer surface regions.

The second male circuit boards of the invention may be omitted if, as described above, the male power-reception/transmission antenna(s) is provided on the second male portion of the first male circuit board or if the male power-reception/transmission antennas are omitted. The second male circuit board(s) of the invention may be provided outside the male body of any of the embodiments and the modification examples and fixed to the male body. The second male circuit board(s) of the invention may be provided inside the male body of any of the embodiments and the modification examples. The second male circuit board, if provided thereon with the male power-reception/transmission antenna(s) of any of the above-described aspects, may be provided inside the male body such that the male power-reception/transmission antenna(s) is located near another one of the outer surface regions, of any of the embodiments and the modification examples, other than the outer surface region, of any of the embodiments and the modification examples, near the male communication antenna(s). At least one second male circuit board should be provided for the invention.

The third male circuit board is not essential to the invention. The control unit of the male connector is not essential to the invention, either. The third male circuit board and/or the control unit may be disposed outside the male connector. In this case, the third male circuit board and/or the control unit may be connected via known connection means to the communication circuit(s), the power-reception circuit(s), and/or the power-transmission circuit(s) as described above. The control unit may be provided on a circuit board, other than the third male circuit board, inside the male body.

The cable of the male connector is not essential to the invention. The male connector of the invention may include first and/or second external connection means in place of the cable. The first external connection means, which may be terminals, pins, or a flexible circuit board for signal communication, may include a front portion and a rear portion. The first external connection means excluding its rear portion (and including its connection portion) may be embedded by insert-molding inside the male body of any of the above-described aspects. In other words, the rear portion of the first external connection means may protrude from the male body. The front portion of the first external connection means may be connected to the communication circuit(s) via the first male circuit board, or to the control unit via the third male circuit board or via another circuit board. The second external connection means, which may be terminals, pins, or a flexible circuit board for power transfer, may include a front portion and a rear portion. The second external connection means excluding its rear portion (and including its connection portion) may be embedded by insert-molding inside the male body of any of the above-described aspects. In other words, the rear portion of the second external connection means protrudes from the male body. The front portion of the second external connection means may be connected to the power-reception circuit(s) or the power-transmission circuit(s) via the second male portion of the first male circuit board, the second male circuit board, or the third male circuit board.

The male connector of the invention may further include a shield case for covering the male body. The male connector of the invention may further include a shield member(s) to be disposed between the first male circuit board and the second male circuit board(s), between the first male circuit board and the third male circuit board, and/or between the second male circuit board(s) and the third male circuit board. The male connector of the invention may further include a male-side engaging portion. When the male connector is received in the connection hole of the female connector, the male-side engaging portion may engage with a female-side engaging portion of the female connector. One of the male-side engaging portion and the female-side engaging portion may be an engaging projection, and the other may be an engaging hole to be engaged with the engaging projection.

The female connector of the invention may be any connector including a female body having a connection hole, a female communication antenna that is provided inside the female body and can wirelessly communicate a signal, and a first female circuit board electrically connected to the female communication antenna.

For example, the female connector may include a female body, a plurality of female communication antennas, and a plurality of first female circuit boards. In this case, at least one of the female communication antennas is provided on each of the first female circuit board. The first female circuit boards are integrally embedded inside the female body by insert-molding, or housed in a housing space (to be described) of the female body, such that at least one of the female communication antennas on one of the first female circuit boards is located near one of the wall regions of the connection hole of the female body and that another at least one of the female communication antennas on another one of the first female circuit boards is located near another one of the wall regions of the connection hole of the female body.

Alternatively, the female connector may include a female body, a plurality of female communication antennas, and a first female circuit board having a plurality of female first portions. At least one of the female communication antennas is provided on each of the first female portions. The first female portions are integrally embedded inside the female body by insert-molding, or housed in a housing space of the female body, such that at least one of the female communication antennas on one of the first female portions is located near one of the wall regions of the connection hole of the female body and that another at least one of the female communication antennas on another one of the first female portions is located near another one of the wall regions of the connection hole of the female body. For example, the first female circuit board may be a rigid flexible circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board, or a PET circuit board. Such a first female circuit board can be bent or curved such that the first female portions thereof are embedded inside the female body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the female body, that at least one of the female communication antennas on one of the first female portions is located near one of the wall regions of the connection hole of the female body; and that another at least one of the female communication antennas on another one of the first female portions is located near another one of the wall regions of the connection hole of the female body.

Still alternatively, the female connector may include a female body, a female communication antenna, a female power-transmission/reception antenna, and a first female circuit board having a first female portion and a second female portion in the following arrangement. The female communication antenna is provided on the first female portion; the female power-transmission/reception antenna is provided on the second female portion, not on the second female circuit board as in the above-described embodiments; the first female portion is integrally embedded inside the female body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the female body such that the female communication antenna is located near one of the wall regions of the connection hole of the female body; and the second female portion, together with the female power-transmission/reception antenna, is integrally embedded inside the female body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the female body.

Further, the second female portion may be integrally embedded inside the female body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the female body such that the female power-transmission/reception antenna is located near another one of the wall regions of the connection hole of the female body other than the wall region near the female communication antenna. In this case, the first female circuit board may be a rigid flexible circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board, or a PET circuit board. Such a first female circuit board can be bent or curved such that the first female portion thereof is embedded inside the female body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the female body, and that the female communication antenna is located near a wall region of the female body. On the other hand, the second female portion of the first female circuit board may be embedded inside the female body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the female body such that the female power-transmission/reception antenna is located near another one of the wall regions other than the wall region near the female communication antenna.

The female body of the invention may be any body inside which at least a female communication antenna is provided. For example, there may be at least one housing space inside the female body. The housing space(s) may house at least a female communication antenna, which may not be exposed from the female body. The female bodies 110 b and 110 b′ may be modified to have at least one housing space. The housing space(s) may house the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b, the communication circuits 131 b and 132 b, the female power-transmission antennas 140 b, the power-transmission circuits 150 b, the control unit 160 b, the first female circuit board 171 b, the second female circuit boards 172 b, and the third female circuit board 173 b. Alternatively, at least one of the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b and the female power-transmission antennas 140 b may be embedded inside the female body 110 b, 110 b′ by insert-molding as in the embodiments, while the remainder of the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b and the female power-transmission antennas 140 b, the communication circuits 131 b and 132 b, the power-transmission circuits 150 b, the control unit 160 b, the first female circuit board 171 b, the second female circuit boards 172 b, and the third female circuit board 173 b may be housed in the housing space(s) in the female body 110 b, 110 b′. In this case, the antenna(s) to be insert-molded into the female body 110 b, 110 b′ may be a coil or terminal (to be described), which may be connected to the associated circuit board in the housing space(s) via connection means such as lead wires or FPCs. Still alternatively, the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b, the communication circuits 131 b and 132 b, and the first female circuit board 171 b may be embedded inside the female body 110 b, 110 b′ by insert-molding as in the embodiments, while the female power-transmission antennas 140 b, the power-transmission circuits 150 b, the control unit 160 b, the second female circuit boards 172 b, and the third female circuit board 173 b may be housed in the housing space(s) in the female body 110 b, 110 b′. In this case, the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b may be conductors, coils, or terminals. Still alternatively, the female power-transmission antennas 140 b and the second female circuit boards 172 b may be embedded inside the female body 110 b, 110 b′ by insert-molding as in the embodiments, while the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b, the communication circuits 131 b and 132 b, the first female circuit board 171 b, the power-transmission circuits 150 b, the control unit 160 b, and the third female circuit board 173 b may be housed in the housing space(s) in the female body 110 b, 110 b′. In this case, the female power-transmission antennas 140 b may be conductors, coils, or terminals. Still alternatively, the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b, the communication circuits 131 b and 132 b, the first female circuit board 171 b, the female power-transmission antennas 140 b, and the second female circuit boards 172 b may be embedded inside the female body 110 b, 110 b′ by insert-molding as in the embodiments, while the power-transmission circuits 150 b, the control unit 160 b, the second female circuit boards 172 b, and the third female circuit board 173 b may be housed in the housing space(s) in the female body 110 b, 110 b′. In this case, the female communication antennas 121 b and 122 b and/or the female power-transmission antennas 140 b may be conductors, coils, or terminals. One of the advantages in disposing any of the antennas and/or the circuit boards in the housing space(s) of the female body is that there is no need to consider the effect of resin flowing onto the antennas and/or the circuit boards when insert-molding them inside the female body, thereby increasing the flexibility in the shape and arrangement of the antennas and/or the circuit boards. The female body 210 b may also be modified in similar manners to the female bodies 110 b and 110 b′.

The female body of the invention may have any outer shape. The connection hole of the female body of the invention may have any shape adapted to receive and fixedly position the male connector of any of the above-described aspects. For example, the connection hole may include a hole in the shape of polyhedron (e.g. polygonal column or polygonal pyramid), hemisphere, bombshell, circular cylinder, or truncated cone.

The wall regions of the connection hole of the female body of the invention may be any non-overlapping regions of wall or walls of the connection hole of the female body. If the connection hole is in the shape of polyhedron, circular cylinder, or truncated cone, a plurality of walls of the connection hole may serve as wall regions, or at least one wall may include a plurality of non-overlapping wall regions. If the connection hole is in the shape of hemisphere or bombshell, its round wall may include a plurality of non-overlapping wall regions. Further, the connection hole of the female body may include a first connection hole and a second connection hole in communication with each other, and the second connection hole may have a larger or smaller outer shape than larger than the first connection hole. In this case, at least one of the first and second connection holes may have a plurality of wall regions. The first and second connection holes may each be a hole in the shape of polyhedron (e.g., polygonal column or polygonal pyramid), hemisphere, bombshell, circular cylinder, or truncated cone. Also in this case, a plurality of walls of at least one of the first and second connection holes may serve as wall regions, or at least one wall may include a plurality of non-overlapping wall regions. The female body of the invention may be visually transparent.

The female communication antenna of the invention may be any antenna that is capable of communicating signals wirelessly and electrically connected to the first female circuit board. For example, the female communication antenna of any of the embodiments and the modification examples may be provided on the first female circuit board, or may be electrically connected to the first female circuit board via known connection means. At least one female communication antenna of the embodiments and the modification examples may be integrally embedded inside the female body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the female body so as to be located near one of the wall regions of any of the embodiments and the modification examples. The female communication antenna(s) of the invention may be a communication antenna(s) for transmission or for reception. The female communication antenna(s) of the invention may preferably be a conductor, a coil, or a terminal (e.g. machined metal plate) but not limited thereto. The conductor may be formed on the first female circuit board or an inner wall of a housing space of the female body.

The communication circuits of the female connector of the invention are not essential to the invention. The communication circuit of the female connector of the invention may be modified in any manner as long as it can wirelessly transmit or receive signals using the female communication antenna of any of the above-described aspects. For example, the communication circuit(s) of the female connector may be electrically connected to a circuit board other than the first female circuit board. The communication circuit(s) may be omitted in the female connector and may be provided outside the female connector instead. In this case, the communication circuit(s) may be connected via known connection means to a female communication antenna of any of the above-described aspects.

The female power-transmission antennas of the invention are not essential to the invention. The female power-transmission antenna of the invention may be modified in any manner as long as it is electrically connected to a first female circuit board or a second female circuit board and integrally embedded inside the female body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the female body. For example, the female power-transmission antenna of any of the embodiments and the modification examples may be provided on a second female portion of the first female circuit board or on the second female circuit board, or may be electrically connected to the first female circuit board or the second female circuit board via known connection means. At least one of the female power-transmission antenna of the embodiments and the modification examples may be integrally embedded inside the female body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the female body so as to be located near another one of the wall regions, of any of the embodiments and the modification examples, other than the wall region, of any of the embodiments and the modification examples, near the female communication antenna. The female power-transmission antenna, if housed in a housing space of the female body, is not exposed from the female body.

The female power-transmission antennas of any of the above-described aspects may be replaced with a female power-reception antenna(s) that can wirelessly receive electric power. The female power-reception antenna of the invention only needs to be electrically connected to the first female circuit board or the second female circuit board. For example, the female power-reception antenna may be provided on the second female portion of the first female circuit board or the second female circuit board, or may be electrically connected via known connection means to the first female circuit board or the second female circuit board. At least one of the female power-reception antennas of the invention may be embedded inside the female body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the female body so as to be located near another one of the wall regions, of any of the embodiments and the modification examples, other than the wall region, of any of the embodiments and the modification examples, near the female communication antenna. The female connector of the invention, if including a female power-reception(s) antenna in place of the female power-transmission antennas, may include a power-reception circuit(s) in place of the power-transmission circuits. The power-reception circuit(s) may be provided on the second female portion of the first female circuit board, the second female circuit board, or the third female circuit board. The female connector of the invention may include both the female power-transmission antenna(s) and the female power-reception antenna(s) of any of the above-described aspects. The female power-transmission/reception antenna(s) of the invention may be a conductor, a coil, or a terminal (e.g. a machined metal plate) but not limited thereto. The conductor may be formed on the second female portion of the first female circuit board, the second female circuit board, or a wall of the housing space of the female body.

The power-transmission circuits of female connector of the invention is not essential to the invention. The power-transmission circuit(s) of the female connector of the invention may be modified in any manner as long as it can direct the female power-transmission antenna(s) of any of the above-described aspects to wirelessly transmit electric power. For example, the power-transmission circuit(s) may be mounted on at least one of the second female portion of the first female circuit board, the second female circuit boards, and the third female circuit board. The power-transmission circuit may be omitted in the female connector and may be provided outside the female connector instead. In this case, the power-transmission circuit(s) may be connected via known connection means to the female power-transmission antenna(s) of any of the above-described aspects. The power-reception circuits of the female connector of the invention may be modified in any manner as long as it can direct the female power-reception antenna(s) of any of the above-described aspects to wirelessly receive electric power. For example, the power-reception circuit(s) may be mounted on at least one of the second female portion of the first female circuit board, the second female circuit boards, and the third female circuit board. The power-reception circuit(s) may be omitted in the female connector and may be provided outside the female connector instead. In this case, the power-reception circuit(s) may be connected via known connection means to the female power-reception antennas) of any of the above-described aspects.

The first female circuit board of the invention may be disposed outside the female body of any of the embodiments and the modification examples and fixed to the female body. The first female circuit board of the invention may be provided inside the female body of any of the embodiments and the modification examples. The first female circuit board, if provided thereon with the female communication antenna(s) of arty of the above-described aspects, may be embedded inside the female body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the female body such that the female communication antenna(s) is located near one of the wall regions. The first female circuit board may be substantially parallel, inclined, or orthogonal relative to any of the wall regions. The first female portion(s), if any, of the invention may be provided inside the female body of any of the embodiments and the modification examples. The first female portion(s), if provided thereon with the female communication antenna(s) of any of the above-described aspects, may be embedded inside the female body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the female body, such that the female communication antenna(s) is located near one of the wall regions. The first female portion may be substantially parallel, inclined, or orthogonal relative to the any of the wall regions.

The second female circuit board of the invention may be omitted if, as described above, the female power-transmission/reception antenna(s) is provided on the second female portion of the first female circuit board, or if the female power-transmission/reception antennas are omitted. The second female circuit board of the invention may be disposed outside the female body of any of the embodiments and the modification examples and fixed to the female body. The second female circuit board(s) of the invention may be provided inside the female body of any of the embodiments and the modification examples. The second female circuit board, if provided thereon with the female power-reception/transmission antenna(s) of any of the above-described aspects, may be embedded inside the female body by insert-molding or housed in a housing space of the female body such that the female power-reception/transmission antenna(s) is located near another one of the wall regions, of any of the embodiments and the modification examples, other than the wall region, of any of the embodiments and the modification examples, near the female communication antenna. At least one second female circuit board will suffice for the invention.

The third female circuit board is not essential to the invention. The control unit of the female connector is not essential to the invention, either. The third female circuit board and/or the control unit may be disposed outside the female connector. In this case, the third female circuit board and/or the control unit may be connected via known connection means to the communication circuit, the power-reception circuit, and/or the power-transmission circuit as described. The control unit may be provided on a circuit board other than the third female circuit board inside the female body.

The first and second external connection means of the female connector are not essential to the invention. The female connector of the invention may further include a cable in place of the first and second external connection means. The cable may include communication lines and power lines. The communication lines and power lines protrude from one lengthwise end of the cable. The protruded communication lines may be connected to the communication circuit(s) via the first female circuit board of any of the above-described aspects, or connected to the control unit via a circuit board such as the third female circuit board. The protruded power lines may be connected to the power-reception circuit(s) or the power-transmission circuit(s) via the second female portion of the first female circuit board, the second female circuit board, or the third female circuit board of any of the above-described aspects.

The female connector of the invention may further include a shield case for covering be female body. The female connector of the invention may further include a shield member(s) to be disposed between the first female circuit board and the second female circuit board(s), between the first female circuit board and the third female circuit board, and/or between the second female circuit board(s) and the third female circuit board. The female connector of the invention may further include the female-side engaging portion as described above.

The connection structure of the invention may be any structure including the male connector of any of the above-described aspects and the female connector of any of the above-described aspects, and in the state (connected state) where the male connector is received and fixedly positioned in the connection hole of the female connector, the male communication antenna and the female communication antenna are arranged within a range such as to allow wireless communication of signals therebetween.

The connection structure of the invention in the connected state may be configured as follows: of the outer surface regions (outer surface regions of any of the above-described aspects) of the male connector, the outer surface region located near the male communication antenna (the male communication antenna of any of the above-described aspects) is opposed to the wall region (wall region of any of the above-described aspects) located near the female communication antenna (the female communication antenna of any of the above-described aspects) of the female connector, so that the male communication antenna and the female communication antenna are arranged within a range that allows wireless signal communication therebetween.

The connection structure of the invention in the connected state may be configured as follows: the outer surface region located near the male communication antenna of any of the above-described aspects is opposed to the wall region located near the female communication antenna of any of the above-described aspects; the male communication antenna located near the outer surface region and the female communication antenna located near the wall region are arranged within a range that allows wireless signal communication therebetween; and the male power-reception/transmission antenna of any of the above-described aspects and the female power-transmission/reception antenna of any of the above-described aspects are arranged within a range that allows wireless transfer of electric power therebetween.

Further, the connection structure of the invention in the connected state may be configured as follows: the outer surface region located near the male communication antenna of any of the above-described aspects is opposed to the wall region located near the female communication antenna of any of the above-described aspects; the male communication antenna located near the outer surface region and the female communication antenna located near the wall region are arranged within a range that allows wireless signal communication therebetween; the outer surface region located near the male power-reception/transmission antenna of any of the above-described aspects is opposed to the wall region located near the female power-transmission/reception antenna of any of the above-described aspects; and the male power-reception/transmission antenna located near the same outer surface region and the female power-transmission/reception antenna located near the same wall region are arranged within a range that allows wireless transfer of electric power therebetween.

In the case where the connection structure includes a plurality of male communication antennas and a plurality of female communication antennas as described above, the connection structure in the connected state of any of the embodiments and the modification examples, may be configured such that each male communication antenna and the associated female communication antenna are arranged within a range that allows wireless signal communication therebetween. In the case where the connection structure includes a plurality of male communication antennas and a plurality of female communication antennas, where the male communication antennas are each located near an outer surface region of the male body, and where the female communication antennas are each located near a wall region of the female body as described above, the connection structure in the connected state of any of the embodiments and the modification examples may be configured at least as follows: one of the outer surface regions located near at least one of the male communication antennas is opposed to one of the wall regions located near at least one of the female communication antennas, and another one of the outer surface regions located near another at least one of the male communication antennas is opposed to another one of the wall regions located near another at least one of the female communication antennas; and the above at least one of the male communication antenna and the above at least one of the female communication antenna are arranged within a range that allows wireless signal communication therebetween, and the above another at least one of the male communication antenna and the above another at least one of the female communication antenna are arranged within a range that allows wireless signal communication therebetween.

In the case where the connection structure includes a plurality of male power-reception/transmission antennas and a plurality of female power-transmission/reception antennas as described above, the connection structure in the connected state of any of the embodiments and the modification examples may be configured such that each male power-reception/transmission antenna and the associated female power-transmission/reception antenna are arranged within a range that allows wireless transfer of electric power therebetween. In the case where the connection structure includes a plurality of male power-reception/transmission antennas and a plurality of female power-transmission/reception antennas as described above, where each male power-reception/transmission antennas is located near an outer surface region of the male body, and where each female power-transmission/reception antennas is located near a wall region of the female body as described above, the connection structure in the connected state may be configured at least as follows: one of the outer surface regions located near at least one of the male power-reception/transmission antennas is opposed to one of the wall regions located near at least one of the female power-transmission/reception antennas, and another one of the outer surface regions located near another at least one of the power-reception/transmission antenna is opposed to another one of the wall regions located near another at least one of the female power-transmission/reception antennas; and the above at least one of the male power-reception/transmission antennas and the above at least one of the female power-transmission/reception antennas are arranged within a range that allows wireless transfer of electric power therebetween, and the above another at least one of the male power-reception/transmission antennas and the above another at least one of the female power-transmission/reception antennas are arranged within a range that allows wireless transfer of electric power therebetween. In any connected state as described above, the outer surface region located near each male communication antenna need not be opposed in parallel to the wall region located near the associated female communication antenna. In each connected state, each wall region may be opposed in parallel to each associated outer surface region.

It should be appreciated that the materials, shapes, dimensions, numbers, arrangements, and other configurations of the constituents of the male connector and the female connector may be modified in any manner if they can perform similar functions. The embodiments and modification examples may be combined with each other in any possible manner. The above-described communication modes are described by way of example only and may be modified in any manner that allows the male communication antenna of any of the above-described aspects can wirelessly communicate with the female communication antenna of any of the above-described aspects. The above-described charging modes are described by way of example only and may be modified in any manner that allows the male power-reception/transmission antenna of any of the above-described aspects and the female power-transmission/reception antenna of any of the above-described aspects to wirelessly transfer electric power therebetween. Some examples of the known connection means mentioned above are pins, conductors, and cables, etc.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   100 a: male connector     -   110 a: male body     -   111 a: surface (outer surface region)     -   121 a, 122 a: male communication antenna     -   131 a, 132 a: communication circuit     -   140 a: male power-reception antenna     -   150 a: power-reception circuit     -   160 a: control unit     -   171 a: first male circuit board     -   172 a: second male circuit board     -   173 a: third male circuit board     -   100 b: female connector     -   110 b: female body     -   111 b: connection hole     -   112 b: wall (wall region)     -   121 b, 122 b: female communication antenna     -   131 b, 132 b: communication circuit     -   140 b: female power-transmission antenna     -   150 b: power-transmission circuit     -   160 b: control unit     -   171 b: first female circuit board     -   172 b: second female circuit board     -   173 b: third female circuit board     -   100 a′: male connector     -   110 a′: male body     -   111 a′: first body     -   111 a 1′: surface (outer surface region)     -   112 a′: second body     -   112 a 1′: surface (outer surface region)     -   100 b′: female connector     -   110 b′: female body     -   111 b′: connection hole     -   111 b 1′: first connection hole     -   111 b 2′: second connection hole     -   112 b 1′: wall (wall region)     -   112 b′: wall (wall region)     -   200 a: male connector     -   210 a: male body     -   211 a: surface     -   212 a: outer surface region     -   221 a, 222 a: male communication antenna     -   230 a: male power-reception antenna     -   240 a: power-reception circuit     -   250 a: control unit     -   261 a: first male circuit board     -   262 a: second male circuit board     -   263 a: third male circuit board     -   200 b: female connector     -   210 b: female body     -   2111 b, connection hole     -   212 b: wall     -   213 b: wall region     -   221 b, 222 b, female communication antenna     -   230 b: female power-transmission antenna     -   240 b: power-transmission circuit     -   250 b: control unit     -   261 b: first female circuit board     -   262 b: second female circuit hoard     -   263 b: third female circuit board 

1. A male connector comprising: a male body, a male communication antenna provided inside the male body, the male communication antenna being configured to wirelessly communicate a signal; and a first male circuit board electrically connected to the male communication antenna.
 2. The male connector according to claim 1, wherein the male body includes a plurality of outer surface regions, the outer surface regions not overlapping each other, and the male communication antenna is provided inside the male body so as to be located near one of the outer surface regions.
 3. The male connector according to claim 2, further comprising: a male power-reception/transmission antenna provided inside the male body so as to be located near another one of the outer surface regions other than the outer surface region near the male communication antenna.
 4. The male connector according to claim 2, wherein the male communication antenna comprises a plurality of male communication antennas, the first male circuit board comprises a plurality of first male circuit boards, and each of the first male circuit boards is electrically connected to at least one of the male communication antennas, and the male communication antennas are provided inside the male body such that at least one of the male communication antennas is provided near one of the outer surface regions and that another at least one of the male communication antennas is provided near another one of the outer surface regions.
 5. The male connector according to claim 3, wherein the male power-reception/transmission antenna comprises a plurality of male power-reception/transmission antennas, and the male power-reception/transmission antennas are provided inside the male body such that at least one of the male power-reception/transmission antennas is located near another one of the outer surface regions other than the outer surface region near the male communication antenna and that another at least one of the male power-reception/transmission antennas is located near still another one of the outer surface regions other than the outer surface region near the male communication antenna.
 6. The male connector according to claim 1, further comprising: a male power-reception/transmission antenna inside the male body.
 7. The male connector according to claim 1, wherein the male body is a molded insulating resin, the male communication antenna and the first male circuit board are integrally insert-molded inside the male body.
 8. The male connector according to claim 3, wherein the male body is a molded insulating resin, and the male communication antenna, the male power-reception/transmission antenna, and the first male circuit board are integrally insert-molded inside the male body.
 9. The male connector according to claim 2, wherein the male communication antenna is provided on the first male circuit board, and the first male circuit board is provided inside the male body so as to be substantially parallel to the outer surface region located near the male communication antenna on the first male circuit board.
 10. The male connector according to claim 1, wherein the male communication antenna is a conductor formed on the first male circuit board.
 11. A female connector comprising: a female body having a connection hole; a female communication antenna provided inside the female body, the female communication antenna being configured to wirelessly communicate a signal; and a first female circuit board electrically connected to the female communication antenna.
 12. The female connector according to claim 11, wherein the female body further includes a plurality of wall regions of the connection hole, the wall regions not overlapping each other, and the female communication antenna is provided inside the female body so as to be located near one of the wall regions.
 13. The female connector according to claim 12, further comprising: a female power-transmission/reception antenna provided inside the female body so as to be located near another one of the wall regions other than the wall region near the female communication antenna.
 14. The female connector according to claim 12, wherein the female communication antenna comprises a plurality of female communication antennas, the first female circuit board comprises a plurality of first female circuit boards, and each of the first female circuit boards is electrically connected to at least one of the female communication antennas, and the female communication antennas are provided inside the female body such that at least one of the female communication antennas is provided near one of the wall regions and that another at least one of the female communication antennas is provided near another one of the wall regions.
 15. The female connector according to claim 13, wherein the female power-transmission/reception antenna comprises a plurality of female power-transmission/reception antennas, and the female power-transmission/reception antennas are provided inside the female body such that at least one of the female power-transmission/reception antennas is located near another one of the wall regions other than the wall region near the female communication antenna and that another at least one of the female power-transmission/reception antennas is located near still another one of the wall regions other than the wall region near the female communication antenna.
 16. The female connector according to claim 11, further comprising: a female power-transmission/reception antenna inside the female body.
 17. The female connector according to claim 11, wherein the female body is a molded insulating resin, and the female communication antenna and the first female circuit board are integrally insert-molded inside the female body.
 18. The female connector according to claim 13, wherein the female body is a molded insulating resin, and the female communication antenna, the female power-transmission/reception antenna, and the first female circuit board are integrally insert-molded inside the female body.
 19. The female connector according to claim 12, wherein the female communication antenna is provided on the first female circuit board, and the first female circuit board is provided inside the female body so as to be substantially parallel to the wall region located near the female communication antenna on the first female circuit board.
 20. The female connector according to claim 11, wherein the female communication antenna is a conductor formed on the first female circuit board.
 21. A connection structure of a male connector and a female connector, the connection structure comprising: a female connector, the female connector including: a female body having a connection hole, a female communication antenna provided inside the female body, the female communication antenna being configured to wirelessly communicate a signal, and a first female circuit board electrically connected to the female communication antenna; and a male connector, the male connector including: a male body, a male communication antenna provided inside the male body, the male communication antenna being configured to wirelessly communicate a signal, and a first male circuit board electrically connected to the male communication antenna, wherein in the state where the male connector is received in the connection hole of the female connector so as to be fixed in position, the male communication antenna and the female communication antenna are arranged within a range that allows wireless signal communication therebetween. 